Of the hundreds of thousands of Australians visiting Thailand every year, many are torn between the exotic opportunity to interact with Thai elephants (often conveniently packaged and offered at a hard-to-resist price); and the very visible depiction of cruel treatments and horrid living conditions endured by these gentle giants, as portrayed by Western and local media alike.
In 2011: Cycling Elephants Perform on custom made tricycles at Nong Nooch Gardens, near Pattaya in Thailand Source: Barcroft Media
Associate Professor Parntep Ratanakorn of Mahidol University, Secretary General of the , is a towering figure in Thailand’s veterinary circle and one of the most respected elephant academics in the country, has spoken to SBS Thai on this hugely contested issue.
“This is similar to horse racing, in which whips are still in use," says Professor Ratanakorn. "Australia has so many race horses, doesn’t it?"
"Let’s ask whether these horses are still whipped at the races. Aren’t they pretty much the same?”
Associate Professor Parntep Ratanakorn of Mahidol University pictured with two elephants and their mahout Source: Getty Images
In fact, Racing Australia has freshly imposed on jockeys as recently as February 2017.
"This is similar to horse racing, in which whips are still in use. Australia has so many race horses, doesn’t it?....Aren’t they pretty much the same?"
Nevertheless, the ever-growing reports and evidence of elephant cruelty are difficult to ignore, nor are they easy to contemplate.
“In Thailand, it is the case that we have been using our elephants throughout the history, alongside our society and culture for millennia," says Professor Rattanakorn.
"The discipline of training and using elephants has thus always existed.
"Such training and using of elephants, if seen by those who do not understand, or are not well informed, may come across as cruelty or violence towards the animals."
"Nowadays, it is very important that restrictions are in place, so that elephant welfare prospers as much as possible.”
Traditional elephant keepers known as Mahouts working with elephants in Thailand Source: Getty Images
“Many of the practices are traditional knowledge, which are being adapted and given logical reasons to—so that when we come across such practices, they are consistent with the concept of animal welfare.
"Soon we may see a government accreditation label, not dissimilar to the Michelin Stars."
"In Thailand, we are now establishing standards of elephant accommodation as well as those of the handlers, plus a systemic approach to elephant welfare where audits and registrations are in place."
"Soon we may see a government accreditation label, not dissimilar to the Michelin Stars."
According to Associate Professor Ratanakorn, there are approximately 3,000-4,000 captive elephants in Thailand, most of which are in the tourism industry, whilst the wild population stands at 3,000-3,500 animals.
Thai children splash water as they take part in water battles with elephants as people celebrate ahead of the Songkran Festival for the Thai New Year Source: AFP/Getty Images
Some areas of the country even see an increase of the wild population, as a result of crackdowns on poaching and illegal land clearing.
The Ministry of Tourism is also increasingly involved in enforcing the many relevant, if fragmented, law and regulations that have long existed but often overlooked due to the lack of a central body governing the issue. It will also help monitor compliance with the new standards currently being rolled out.
“We are drafting an operational plan for the next 20 years of Thai elephant conservation,” says Ratanakorn.
“But this requires cooperation from all stakeholders; not to mention how much of a priority the government gives to the issue.”
In spite of the somewhat cumbersome steps in the right direction, many believe that there is no longer any need for humans to keep the wild-roaming animals in captivity, in the day and age of machinery and modern transportation.
In the meantime, as to whether or not we should interact or get involved with these pachyderms at all, Associate Professor Ratanakorn advises concerned tourists to do their research.
At a red-light district in Bangkok, a Thai handler pulls an elephant along the infamous Soi Cowboy street, urging drunk foreign tourists to pay for its feed. Source: AFP, Getty
“Those who decide to use these services, or those who have seen shocking media reports must do their own research, weigh up the information and exercise their critical thinking.
So, it seems that whenever this sizable topic is discussed and considered, the elephant in the room will not simply disappear, at least not anytime soon.
Listen to Associate Professor Ratanakorn's full interview (in Thai) with SBS Thai in the player above.
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