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
Make the tourist walk. That is why they have legs to walk.
No, make the tourist and the handler give rides to the elephants.
Stop using these poor animals as a transport … they are beautiful animals & should be adored.
Get the tourists off the poor elephants now! This is inhumane and all about making money. Free the elephants.
How would we like to be taken from our intended homes and beat and forced to do such humiliating and atrocious acts; no family, no socialization amongst our own species; starved and beat if we do anything to upset our captors!!!??? Freedom taken; every minute filled with agony mentally and physically.
Aren’t buddhists supposed to be compassionate?
You would think.
Euthanize the people that allow this.
You are too kind. The elephants can ride the people that allow this and harm them.
God it is disgusting the abuse these animals go through for vile humans
Use the tourist shoulders for the transport!
also their heads.
Use the tourist SHOULDERS for the transport! And leave the elephants alone!!!
Abuse and torture of animals is NOT entertainment. And shame on all the tourists who fuel this heinous industry.
Treat the same way the owners of the elephants!
Elephants are intelligent and emotional animals and deserve so much better than this horrible abuse.
Elephants are such magnificent creatures and have such an aura about them, they feel like we do and are intelligent and family oriented. This barbaric practice is evil and must stop!
The keepers of these beautiful elephants should just let them go free & promote tourist sight seeing tours whilst leaving them aline!
this is important
STOP BEATING AND STARVING ALL ELEPHANRS IMMEDIATELY!!! ALL THESE CRUEL AND ABUSIVE HUMANS NEED TO BE BEATEN AND STARVED AND HAVE OTHER HUMANS RIDE ON THEIR BACKS & NOT RIDING ON ANYMIRE ELEPHANTS’ BACKS!!!!
also take away all their tourist dollars for food for the poor elephants
STOP THIS INSANITY PEOPLE WHO CAN SPEAK..NO WONDER SUCH ATROCITIES IN YOUR WAY
Another example of animal cruelty that should be punishable to the full extent of the law. They all need to be shut down!
Who are these idiot tourists! Can you not deduce that these elephants are abused! They are MISERABLE! You need to be held accountable as well.
Free all the elephants and have safari excursions. Then you will be respecting these beautiful creatures!
Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism THAILAND … STOP the way you use and abuse these elephants! Treat them with respect ….it is 2023 and such horrors need to be banned …it is time to be proud of the elephants that have in your country so that others will also treat them with the respect they deserve!
It’s the same horrible situation for poor donkeys in Greece and other countries… horses, camels… 🙁 AND… you sometimes see the fattest people sitting on these poor animals. Why??? Where is the handler to say “no, sorry Ma’am, you can’t get on”. IT’S ALL ABOUT MONEY!!!! To stop the abuse of animals, we HAVE to offer the owners/handlers a viable alternative income. that’s the answer.
TOURISTS: Can we stop spending money in these 3rd world countries who CONTINUE TO ABUSE AND TORTURE ANIMALS FOR PROFIT, MOSTLY TOURIST DOLLARS?????? Do you really enjoy riding an elephant that you are causing PAIN AND STRESS?????