Target: Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism – Thailand
Goal: End the exploitation of elephants in tourism by prohibiting elephant riding.
Elephant riding has become a popular tourist activity in Thailand, but it is also one of the most inhumane and exploitative practices in the industry. Elephants are subjected to physical and psychological abuse in order to make them submissive enough to be ridden by tourists. This has led to many elephants in these situations suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, chronic health problems caused by long hours standing on hard surfaces, carrying heavy loads, and exposure to extreme weather conditions. They are also often subjected to cruel training methods, such as being beaten with hooks and bullhooks. This practice is not only harmful to the welfare of the elephants, but it also harms the environment.
When elephants are forced to carry heavy loads of tourists on their backs, it can cause long-term damage to their spines and legs, making them unable to move freely and forage for food. Additionally, the increasing demand for elephant rides has resulted in many elephants being taken from their natural habitats and bred in captivity, further disrupting the natural ecosystem.
As the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has the power to end this inhumane practice by prohibiting elephant riding in all tourist activities. Instead, the ministry can promote ethical and sustainable elephant tourism, such as observing elephants in their natural habitats or volunteering at elephant sanctuaries that prioritize the well-being of these magnificent animals.
Sign below and demand the Ministry protect the welfare of elephants, preserve the natural environment, and set a positive example for other countries to follow.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn,
I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to end the exploitation of elephants in tourism by prohibiting elephant riding in Thailand. As the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, you have the power to end this inhumane practice that is not only harmful to the welfare of the elephants but also to the environment.
Elephants are subjected to physical and psychological abuse in order to make them submissive enough to be ridden by tourists. This has led to many elephants suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, chronic health problems caused by long hours standing on hard surfaces, carrying heavy loads, and exposure to extreme weather conditions. It also causes long-term damage to their spines and legs, making them unable to move freely and forage for food. Moreover, the increasing demand for elephant rides has resulted in many elephants being taken from their natural habitats and bred in captivity, further disrupting the natural ecosystem.
Instead, we urge you to promote ethical and sustainable elephant tourism, such as observing elephants in their natural habitats or volunteering at elephant sanctuaries that prioritize the well-being of these magnificent animals. By taking this action, you can help to protect the welfare of elephants, preserve the natural environment, and set a positive example for other countries to follow.
Please take action to end the exploitation of elephants in tourism by prohibiting elephant riding in Thailand. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Walter Lange
WHAT IS WRONG WITH “TOURISTS” who think it’s OK to ride elephants and other animals who suffer for their “entertainment”?????
Totally agree!
Why are people soo evil to precious animals….. people should have same treatment..it’s always about $ …root of all evil
Amen brother!!
This ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME needs to stop!!!!!
Elephants don’t belong to Thailand only. Elephants are the heritage of the entire world. Send these elephants to accredited sanctuaries because they deserve RESPECT and WORTHY LIFE. Elephants are definitely NOT toys!!!
I lived in Bangkok in the mid 1960’s as a kid and loved seeing the water buffalo walking up the main street on the sidewalk. They’re beautiful. And so are the elephants! LEAVE THEM ALONE!
I agree with this petition that observing elephants in their natural habitats would be a better option as opposed to the current way they are being used and treated in Thailand.
I agree wholeheartedly.
Those evil abusers deserves to be “THROWN IN JAIL”!!!
AND NEVER LET OUT TO HURT ANOTHER INNOCENT ANIMALS EVER AGAIN!!!! MUST LOCK UP NEED TO PROTECT THOSE PRECIOUS ELEPHANTS,,,,IMMEDIATELY !!!
CORRECTION : MUST LOCK UP ALL THOSE CRUEL BEING’S……
At some level, you must know that exploiting elephants for human entertainment (i.e. riding) is wrong. Please stop this senseless abuse of sentient beings.
I JUST CAN NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THESE PEOPLE GO ON THROUGH LIFE AND SLEEP AT NIGHT DOING THESE TERRIBLE AND LOWLIFE ACTS OF BRUTALITY TO SUCH SWEET AND BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS. I WOULD LOVE THEM AND RESPECT THEM, NURTURE THEM AND HONOR THEM OF GODS CREATURES. THIS COUNTRY NEEDS TO START RESPECTING WHAT OUR GOD HAS CREATED. NO MORALS, VALUES IN THESE PEOPLES LIVES.
LET’S PUT AN END TO THE ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF THESE BEAUTIFUL, MAGNIFICENT ANIMALS — NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
STOP THIS BARBARIC PRACTICE PLEASE 🙏
Stop doing this
SO EVIL!!! What is wrong with you people?????>?
STOP THIS !!!!!~
Thailand is a poor country…. Elephant exploitation will not stop…. Tourists must not have access to this ride!!!
From the zip line I saw the elephants SPINES COMPLETELY DEFORMED WITH THE WEIGHT OF THE WOODEN SEAT PLACED ON THE ANIMALS BACKS FOR OVER 8 hrs a day!!!
Sell that thought with the airline tickets!!!!
It’s all a money game! Exploiting innocent animals for profit. It’s sickening and inhumane!
SHAME ON THE IGNORANT, INHUMANE TOURISTS who are the ABUSERS and RESPONSABLE for such heinous treatment!!! If it wasn’t for your selfishness and ignorance, these majestic animals wouldn’t suffer thecway they do🤬🤬🤬🤬
Anyone caught abusing, torturing, starving any elephants must be shot dead
Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism – Thailand
End the exploitation of elephants in tourism by prohibiting elephant riding.
The sadism and evilness of the precious and beautiful Elephants and all wildlife must be stopped and banned immediately.
What else would you expect from these Thailand monster bastards?
It is absolutely sickening and uforgivable.
How many YEARS have we all been signing this and NOTHING CHANGES?!
DISGUSTING AND WICKED…THIS MUST BE RECOGNISED AND STOPPED. SO WHAT, THEY ARE A POOR COUNTRY, THEY DO NOT HAVE A CONSCIENCE? I THINK THEY DO BUT CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT. TOO EASY TO MAKE SOMETHING SUFFER AND GET MONEY….NO, NO, NO, NOT A GOOD EXCUSE TO MAKE SOMETHING SUFFER BECAUSE YOU WANT MONEY.
AS FOR THE STUPID, IGNORANT TOURISTS…EXAMINE YOUR CONSCIENCE AND THINK WHETHER YOU NEED TO DO A RIDE ON THE BACK OF THIS LOVELY ANIMAL THAT SUFFERS DAY IN AND DAY OUT FOR YOU!!! NO, NO, NO IS THE ANSWER AND YOU KNOW IT. WAKE UP FOR HEAVENS SAKE!!
‼️💔😥❗😠😈
SHUT DOWN cruel HELL-HOLES — STOP immoral & depraved indifference to suffering of ELEPHANTS — ELEPHANTS are viciously ABUSED for “ENTERTAINMENT” — find ANOTHER “event” for your income NOT using Animals — PROTECT our Elephants and our ECO-SYSTEM.