Thailand Lifts Ban on Export of Elephants – Animal Rights Organisations Raise Concerns

A new regulation was passed in Thailand this April whereby the 2009 ban on the export of elephants was lifted for non-commercial purposes. As such, live elephants can be exported for research, diplomatic purposes or as part of exchange programmes. Officials were keen to stress that measures will be taken to ensure that such exports will not violate the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Animal rights activists and organisations, however, have raised concerns about the lifting of the export ban stating that it could potentially encourage the illegal capture and selling of elephants. Also pointed out was the fact that elephants undergo much distress when travelling for long periods overseas. As per the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, there are around 4,000 wild elephants in Thailand. While domesticated elephants are used in the tourism industry, travellers can also see rescued elephants when staying at a hotel in Chiang Rai with its own elephant camp including at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort.