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Thailand imposes elephant feeding fine

13th July 2010

Tourists caught feeding elephants sugar cane or bunches of bananas in Thailand's capital will face a fine of $320.

Authorities in Bangkok have brought in the fine to stop handlers making money from the 2,400 domestic elephants in the country. Demand for logging and other labour traditionally carried out by elephants has waned and some owners now loan them out for begging from tourists and locals in large cities.

City Law Enforcement Department deputy director Manit Techa-apichoke expressed concern over elephants falling into drains or hurting people, leaving tourists to make a claim on their travel insurance.

The deputy director said: "The ordinance is issued to prevent untidiness or danger toward properties and lives of Bangkok residents."

The introduction of the fines have been welcomed by Friends of the Asian Elephant, a Thai non-governmental group which cares for injured or mistreated elephants.

"I have been asking for them to do this for 15 years," said its founder, Soraida Salwalla, adding that she hoped other Thai cities would follow suit. "It is not the total solution, but it is a help."

Previously, mahouts - as elephant handlers are known - and their accomplices were fined for bringing an elephant into Bangkok, but those feeding the animal escaped punishment.

Typically a tourist would spend 20 baht (62 US cents) of their travel money for the privilege of handing a bunch of fruit or vegetables into the elephant's trunk.

Copyright © Press Association 2010

 

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