Phuket
Opinion: Elephants are somewhat difficult to miss at checkpoints, but
apparently it does happen.
PHUKET: The United Nations estimates that the
human population of the Earth quietly surpassed the seven billion mark last
October. As a result, humankind is putting ever more pressure on the
environment that sustains us. In the process, we are also driving many other
animal species into extinction, some before they are even recognized by
science.
Few places on the planet could serve as a
better showcase for the demise of native wildlife than Thailand, with Phuket
worthy of distinction in this regard.
[See news feature, pages 4-5, this week's
issue of the Phuket Gazette. Digital subscribers click here to download the
full newspaper.]
Recent events involving the country’s national
symbol, the elephant, have once again cast unwanted international attention on
Thailand, reinforcing the country's reputation as a low-end performer, if not a
source of outright humor, when it comes to respect for wildlife.
The raid earlier this month on a sanctuary for
abused wildlife run by the Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand (WFFT) in
Phetchaburi is a good case in point.
The raid followed a letter to the media from
WFFT founder Edwin Wiek in which he challenged authorities to do their jobs by
checking DNA records of baby elephants at tourist-oriented elephant camps, to
ensure that the animals were properly registered as domestic.
His actions have already resulted in two
unregistered baby elephants in Phuket being slated for reunion with their
mothers, but his exposure of the issue would appear to have triggered an unexpected
backlash. His sanctuary was raided two weeks later by some 70 park rangers,
including some in balaclavas, who removed many animals, including primates.
Although it may be a coincidence, the National
Research Council of Thailand shortly thereafter announced its plan to establish
the country’s first “National Primate Research Center (NPRC)”, a breeding
facility in Saraburi costing 1.8 billion baht (approx US$ 60,000,000). But the
research will have little to do with conservation.
The stated objective of the NPRC is to provide
subjects for medical testing of products based on Thai traditional medicines
that researchers would eventually like to sell to a wider market.
The notion and imagery of “wild elephant
smuggling” would be rich in humor if it weren’t for the multi-layered
corruption of politicians, government officials and “influential figures” who
make it all possible – at a rate of up to 250 baby elephants a year, if we are
to accept Mr Wiek’s estimates.
It would be hard to imagine a more difficult
object to “smuggle” through a police or immigration checkpoint than a living,
breathing pachyderm. Even a baby like Pang Saifon, born in Phuket's Rawai
sub-district on Tuesday, hit the ground weighing 75 kilograms.
As it is almost inconceivable that elephants
could be smuggled onto the island through the Tah Chat Chai Police checkpoint,
the only conclusion for many observers is that there would be officials who
know, or would at least suspect, what is going on with the elephants working on
Phuket. So why the apparent lack of enforcement of the regulations?
Phuket Gazette
Business & Investment Opportunities
YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment