Nine injured by startled elephant at Chiang Mai Night Safari

[circusman]

I copied "or when a baby lion and tiger joined the parade." and recent follow up seems to confirm that idea. One might reason that when elephant in wild sees baby lion or tiger it is likely mama is nearby. Instinct.

Rubbish. Your statement and safari statement that the elephant was spooked by the cub. Rubbish.

[circusman]

strange that the night safari in singapore does not have these issues.

Do you mean that this has happened before in the Chiang Mai Night Safari's 10yr history? Or that the Singapore Night Safari hasn't been opened long enough?

Singapore night safari has been open a lot longer ,where do you think

the idea for Chiang Mai Safari came from.

Regards Worgeordie

So in other words, Chiang Mai's Night Safari WAS doing it just like Singapore's, but then S'pore changed their protocols after some years, and Chiang Mai hadn't done so, but managed to maintain a good safety record for almost 10 years.

10 years of tourists interacting with wild animals but no accidents... Off hand I'd say that about as safe as a golf course's safety record. Certainly safer than riding in aTuk-tuk!

You have no idea if there were accidents before in the ten years. Get some facts to post.

[circusman]

You might if the tiger was pumped full of butazalidine.....

Your so wrong. It could not walk perfectly with any drugs pumped in. Think before posting.

[Alration]

It's all about money. Perhaps if the penalty for hurting a customer was 30M Baht, things would change. But at 30k, it's a bit of a slap in the face to those hurt....

It's not "all about the money" at all. The payments were not penalties, they were ex-gratia payments on top of the Safari taking care of all hospital bills.

Maybe there will be penalties if any charges are made, if any offences were committed, and if any of the injured decide to press charges.

The injured are the ones to decide whether the Safari's taking care of them after the accident is a slap in the face, surely.

[Alration]

strange that the night safari in singapore does not have these issues.

some years back a female elephant in singapore zoo gored her keeper to death.

So not the night safari then?

[Alration]

You might if the tiger was pumped full of butazalidine.....

Your so wrong. It could not walk perfectly with any drugs pumped in. Think before posting.

Since when are you here to tell anyone how to post?

[Alration]

I copied "or when a baby lion and tiger joined the parade." and recent follow up seems to confirm that idea. One might reason that when elephant in wild sees baby lion or tiger it is likely mama is nearby. Instinct.

Rubbish. Your statement and safari statement that the elephant was spooked by the cub. Rubbish.

You were there then? You must have been in order to denounce two opinions as rubbish.

[JHolmesJr]

strange that the night safari in singapore does not have these issues.

some years back a female elephant in singapore zoo gored her keeper to death.

So not the night safari then?

The frikkin night safari is where they showcase nocturnal creatures…..elephants are usually snoring by then.

[Alration]

So in other words, Chiang Mai's Night Safari WAS doing it just like Singapore's, but then S'pore changed their protocols after some years, and Chiang Mai hadn't done so, but managed to maintain a good safety record for almost 10 years.

10 years of tourists interacting with wild animals but no accidents... Off hand I'd say that about as safe as a golf course's safety record. Certainly safer than riding in aTuk-tuk!

You have no idea if there were accidents before in the ten years. Get some facts to post.

How do you know? Maybe he has.

[FolkGuitar]

So in other words, Chiang Mai's Night Safari WAS doing it just like Singapore's, but then S'pore changed their protocols after some years, and Chiang Mai hadn't done so, but managed to maintain a good safety record for almost 10 years.

10 years of tourists interacting with wild animals but no accidents... Off hand I'd say that about as safe as a golf course's safety record. Certainly safer than riding in aTuk-tuk!

I wish one of these abused creatures will soon sit on your guitar !

What a nasty thing to say! What's the matter with you? Can't you keep your comments to the subject at hand rather than making personal attacks?

[Jim walker]

That is what the wild is in wild animals is I am sure you would have the same effect wandering about in the jungle at night you might startle a wild animal and they get frightened and defensive. especially if they have young ones in tow with them they have probably heard about the American hunters with their bow and arrows out for a trophy.

[FolkGuitar]

So in other words, Chiang Mai's Night Safari WAS doing it just like Singapore's, but then S'pore changed their protocols after some years, and Chiang Mai hadn't done so, but managed to maintain a good safety record for almost 10 years.

10 years of tourists interacting with wild animals but no accidents... Off hand I'd say that about as safe as a golf course's safety record. Certainly safer than riding in aTuk-tuk!

You have no idea if there were accidents before in the ten years. Get some facts to post.

How do you know? Maybe he has.

I know that I've been in Chiang Mai for 15 years. I've been a member of Thai Visa for roughly 10 years.

If there is ONE thing in this world that is certain, it's that if there were previous safety issues with a particular Thai tourist venue where farang were injured, there would be at least three ThaiVisa members shouting this fact from the rooftops, screaming for changes, and listing all the previous damages done to us poor, poor farang by the uncaring, money profit-makers...

Is there ANY doubt about THIS fact?

Edited November 16, 2015 by FolkGuitar

[roo860]

So in other words, Chiang Mai's Night Safari WAS doing it just like Singapore's, but then S'pore changed their protocols after some years, and Chiang Mai hadn't done so, but managed to maintain a good safety record for almost 10 years.

10 years of tourists interacting with wild animals but no accidents... Off hand I'd say that about as safe as a golf course's safety record. Certainly safer than riding in aTuk-tuk!

I wish one of these abused creatures will soon sit on your guitar !

What a nasty thing to say! What's the matter with you? Can't you keep your comments to the subject at hand rather than making personal attacks?

I think he wouldn't want you to be playing it when the elephant sat on it.

Or would he?

[slerickson]

People from my village were there . It was two things according to them hat made the elephant angry: 1) Chinese tourists. A Chinese guy grabbed the elephant's tail and was flicking the elephant with its own tail. The elephant started to kick at the assailant. 2) All while the mahout was teasing it with sugar cane.

They said the incident was very exciting and they calmed the beast by turning out the lights as apparently the elephant doesn't like the artificial lights.

Another day in LOS.

Edited November 16, 2015 by slerickson

[slapout]

If post 44 is accurate/ reliable in the description of what took place, its not hard for me to believe..

This is based on my observations in watching the torment/ teasing I have seen in the interaction between humans with dogs, cats, monkeys, , most animals captured from the wild by adults, both local and tourists.The sad part is that many of the young children are treated in the same way by parents, family and friends.

If its caged, they seem to delight poking sticks at the animal, if they have a potential treat, they hold it out of reach to see if the animal or child can be taught to beg. I have seen them throw rocks, plastic bag full of trash, articles of clothing, etc apparently to tease and tempt the animals to consume it

The most effective way I have of showing my displeasure is now I refuse to recommend or attend any of these freak animal shows which feature 2 or 4 legged exhibits.

[tuanku]

strange that the night safari in singapore does not have these issues.

some years back a female elephant in singapore zoo gored her keeper to death.

So not the night safari then?

The frikkin night safari is where they showcase nocturnal creatures…..elephants are usually snoring by then.

frikkin elephants usually sleep between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.. They are active 18/24 hours getting the enormous amounts of food they require. They are basically up all frikkin night.

[JHolmesJr]

some years back a female elephant in singapore zoo gored her keeper to death.

So not the night safari then?

The frikkin night safari is where they showcase nocturnal creatures…..elephants are usually snoring by then.

frikkin elephants usually sleep between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.. They are active 18/24 hours getting the enormous amounts of food they require. They are basically up all frikkin night.

Not in frikkin singapore they aren't…..theyre fed tons of grass, apples, bananas by the ton for just standing around and looking majestic and have people take selfless with them to tweet to the world….they lead a lordly existence….at night its beddy byes for them.

[craigt3365]

It's all about money. Perhaps if the penalty for hurting a customer was 30M Baht, things would change. But at 30k, it's a bit of a slap in the face to those hurt....

It's not "all about the money" at all. The payments were not penalties, they were ex-gratia payments on top of the Safari taking care of all hospital bills.

Maybe there will be penalties if any charges are made, if any offences were committed, and if any of the injured decide to press charges.

The injured are the ones to decide whether the Safari's taking care of them after the accident is a slap in the face, surely.

If it wasn't about money, these parks would do the right thing and ban rides and keep these wild animals a safe distance from tourists. Like the zoo in Singapore is doing.

As for the payment, would you be happy with 30k Baht if you were in the hospital with a broken foot for say, 3-5 days? I know I wouldn't. Paying the hospital bills is OK, but what about the pain and suffering these people are going through, and perhaps will for a long time. All because the park is making money off these activities.

[khwaibah]

The Chiang Mai Night Safari opened February 6, 2006. I was talked into going to it in June of 2006. I have never been back. Its nothing but a tourist scam, ripoff and all about money.

[FolkGuitar]

The Chiang Mai Night Safari opened February 6, 2006. I was talked into going to it in June of 2006. I have never been back. Its nothing but a tourist scam, ripoff and all about money.

I agree that the Night Safari is much more 'flash' than 'bang.' Certainly not something that I, as an adult, would visit twice. On the other hand, it has provided entertainment to thousands and thousands of visitors, many of whom do go again and again because their kids enjoy it.

As for being 'all about money...' I believe that's what the majority of for-profit businesses are all about. Even the government needs to make money.

Did anyone think this was being created as a charity?

[tuanku]

some years back a female elephant in singapore zoo gored her keeper to death.

So not the night safari then?

The frikkin night safari is where they showcase nocturnal creatures…..elephants are usually snoring by then.

frikkin elephants usually sleep between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.. They are active 18/24 hours getting the enormous amounts of food they require. They are basically up all frikkin night.

Not in frikkin singapore they aren't…..theyre fed tons of grass, apples, bananas by the ton for just standing around and looking majestic and have people take selfless with them to tweet to the world….they lead a lordly existence….at night its beddy byes for them.

Ah, even frikkin elephants have to behave themselves in frikkin Singapore - frikkin Disneyland with the death penalty