Comments on: Maesa Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/ This is my journal of living in Thailand Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:00:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: Max http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-12635 Max Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:13:21 +0000 http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-12635 I won't comment, or you will be upset. Such a shame people still go to these camps and prolong the cruelty that the elephants must endure. An elephant's spine isn't designed to take downward pressure and the weight of that "crate" that digs into it's skin. And the training that they must endure to perform these tricks is cruel at best. I won't go on. If you want to see elephants looked after and in something near their natural environment try: http://www.elephantnaturepark.org It's not for profit and really is inspiring (and the mahouts don't use that disgusting hook to "control" the elephants). Sorry for the negativity but this is something I feel strongly about. I won’t comment, or you will be upset. Such a shame people still go to these camps and prolong the cruelty that the elephants must endure. An elephant’s spine isn’t designed to take downward pressure and the weight of that “crate” that digs into it’s skin. And the training that they must endure to perform these tricks is cruel at best. I won’t go on.
If you want to see elephants looked after and in something near their natural environment try: http://www.elephantnaturepark.org It’s not for profit and really is inspiring (and the mahouts don’t use that disgusting hook to “control” the elephants). Sorry for the negativity but this is something I feel strongly about.

]]> By: Lillian http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-12636 Lillian Sat, 21 Jul 2007 04:32:58 +0000 http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-12636 Max I heard alot of people say how cruel it is for the elephants. Could you explain for me? More detailed?I'm not sure what to think !!! Max I heard alot of people say how cruel it is for the elephants. Could you explain for me? More detailed?I’m not sure what to think !!!

]]> By: Max http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-12637 Max Sat, 21 Jul 2007 09:45:10 +0000 http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-12637 Check out the videos here: http://www.helpthaielephants.com/ They were taken in Thailand secretly and show part of the process of the PhaJaan method of training elephants in Thailand. Following protests by PETA the Thai government announced that this practice was illegal, in order to protect the tourist figures. In reality it is as widespread as it ever was. Next time you see a mahout have a look at the hook he's holding, is that humane? It's worth a trip up to the Elephant Nature Park, they care for elephants that have been the victim of Thai mahouts, the injuries and ailments will shock you. It's worth it if you want to see elephants without chains that are not being forced to "entertain" people. Please give it a try sometime. Cheers! Check out the videos here: http://www.helpthaielephants.com/ They were taken in Thailand secretly and show part of the process of the PhaJaan method of training elephants in Thailand. Following protests by PETA the Thai government announced that this practice was illegal, in order to protect the tourist figures. In reality it is as widespread as it ever was. Next time you see a mahout have a look at the hook he’s holding, is that humane?
It’s worth a trip up to the Elephant Nature Park, they care for elephants that have been the victim of Thai mahouts, the injuries and ailments will shock you. It’s worth it if you want to see elephants without chains that are not being forced to “entertain” people. Please give it a try sometime.
Cheers!

]]> By: Lillian http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-12638 Lillian Sun, 22 Jul 2007 08:49:29 +0000 http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-12638 Thanx Max. That is well explained and I totally agree. The way those elephants are kept is totally cruel. I might write your comment into a post if you don't mind ! Thanx Max. That is well explained and I totally agree. The way those elephants are kept is totally cruel. I might write your comment into a post if you don’t mind !

]]> By: Drew http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-15272 Drew Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:40:09 +0000 http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-15272 I've recently stayed at the Elephant Nature Park it was fantastic to see rescued elephants having a chance to express normal behaviour. No tricks, begging or riding required. If you ever go you will understand and never want to ride an elephant on a tourist trek after finding out the cruelty they go through in "PhaJaan" everthing max says is absolutely true!! Why do so few people take a momment to think about animal welfare and consider what really is best for the animal rather than what as a human they find funny or entertaining? Such a shame. This site sadens me because the woman who wrote it and had such a fun time encouraging her children clearly hasn't got the first clue about what's really going on behind the scenes. :-( I’ve recently stayed at the Elephant Nature Park it was fantastic to see rescued elephants having a chance to express normal behaviour. No tricks, begging or riding required. If you ever go you will understand and never want to ride an elephant on a tourist trek after finding out the cruelty they go through in “PhaJaan” everthing max says is absolutely true!! Why do so few people take a momment to think about animal welfare and consider what really is best for the animal rather than what as a human they find funny or entertaining? Such a shame. This site sadens me because the woman who wrote it and had such a fun time encouraging her children clearly hasn’t got the first clue about what’s really going on behind the scenes. :-(

]]> By: Lillian http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-15285 Lillian Mon, 03 Mar 2008 06:36:20 +0000 http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-15285 Drew... thanx for commenting on my blog. I haven't been to the Elephant Nature Park but my children have. My daughter13 spent a whole week there.. I guess I should have written a post about it... i just don't feel like writing about EVERYTHING members of my family does !.. Drew… thanx for commenting on my blog. I haven’t been to the Elephant Nature Park but my children have. My daughter13 spent a whole week there.. I guess I should have written a post about it… i just don’t feel like writing about EVERYTHING members of my family does !..

]]> By: Drew http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-15359 Drew Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:29:29 +0000 http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-15359 Lillian, All I can say is; If you already understand about phajaan and the cruelty that goes on behind the scenes for performing, begging and treking elephants, why did you write about your experiences at the Maesa Camp as if it's a good thing that the elephants enjoy? I wouldn't enjoy getting beaten into submission until i held a paint brush or kicked a ball etc but it's what they go through. All be it not infront of the tourists ofcourse. Sorry, I'm trying but i don't understand the logic here? As i'm sure you can tell this is a topic very close to my heart. Lillian,

All I can say is; If you already understand about phajaan and the cruelty that goes on behind the scenes for performing, begging and treking elephants, why did you write about your experiences at the Maesa Camp as if it’s a good thing that the elephants enjoy? I wouldn’t enjoy getting beaten into submission until i held a paint brush or kicked a ball etc but it’s what they go through. All be it not infront of the tourists ofcourse. Sorry, I’m trying but i don’t understand the logic here? As i’m sure you can tell this is a topic very close to my heart.

]]> By: Lillian http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-15361 Lillian Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:33:12 +0000 http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-15361 Drew...you're right. I'm inconsequent. We wanted to see elephants inspite of how they are treated... selfishly.. Drew…you’re right. I’m inconsequent. We wanted to see elephants inspite of how they are treated… selfishly..

]]> By: Dave Bernazani http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-15571 Dave Bernazani Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:10:07 +0000 http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-15571 Lillian, I too have been to the Elephant Nature Park. No one blames you for going to the Maesa Camp; westerners are not educated about what goes on behind the scenes, unless we dig for info ourselves online. But now that you know about it, perhaps you can alter your initial blog to more accurately reflect the truth about what goes on at those camps. Truth is, our media's coverage of the outrages that occur in Thailand is so pathetically scarce as to be almost nonexistant. It's up to each of us to help spread the word to other tourists going there to be aware of what the money they give is supporting. Please change your blog, and tell everyone you know to re-read it. Ok? Thanks, Dave Lillian,
I too have been to the Elephant Nature Park. No one blames you for going to the Maesa Camp; westerners are not educated about what goes on behind the scenes, unless we dig for info ourselves online. But now that you know about it, perhaps you can alter your initial blog to more accurately reflect the truth about what goes on at those camps.
Truth is, our media’s coverage of the outrages that occur in Thailand is so pathetically scarce as to be almost nonexistant. It’s up to each of us to help spread the word to other tourists going there to be aware of what the money they give is supporting. Please change your blog, and tell everyone you know to re-read it. Ok?
Thanks,
Dave

]]> By: shakira http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-15673 shakira Wed, 07 May 2008 07:03:31 +0000 http://www.mythailanddiary.com/970/maesa-elephant-camp-in-chiang-mai/#comment-15673 I have also been to the ENP, plase dont promote these cruel and horrific shows, behined the scenes its a different story and these elephants are mentally traumatised to the extent that they will do any thing no matter how un ntatural to get out of a beating or stabbing in the ear, these shows are un natural, but get your own poinion and go to the ENp and see how real free elephants interact and live in family groups, you can feed them, bathe them and generally care for them. It will be the best experience of your life and you will then totally understand our points of view that have been to the park. Thanks for your time for reading this. I have also been to the ENP, plase dont promote these cruel and horrific shows, behined the scenes its a different story and these elephants are mentally traumatised to the extent that they will do any thing no matter how un ntatural to get out of a beating or stabbing in the ear, these shows are un natural, but get your own poinion and go to the ENp and see how real free elephants interact and live in family groups, you can feed them, bathe them and generally care for them. It will be the best experience of your life and you will then totally understand our points of view that have been to the park.
Thanks for your time for reading this.

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