The Bangkok Post misses my aching legs but picks up a much more important point....
...a couple of articles from today's Bangkok Post, one featuring yesterday's press conference and demonstration Elephant Polo game at the King's Own Bodyguard camp in Bangkok. The article doesn't mention the aching legs of the umpire - in fact it doesn't mention the umpire at all, which may well be a good thing.
My lack of physical fitness aside, we managed to take six eles off the streets (if only for two days) and Chivas Regal paid to give a baby a day's rest and a tonne of food too. It may not be long term this time, but as I always say, step-by-step. This time two days, next time two weeks and let's look into the possibility of taking them off the streets permanently.
During the rest period it was certainly odd to see the army taking part in their urban warfare training amidst the elephants, thankfully not using them for cover!
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Sports/19Aug2006_sport26.php
The second article isn't as personal but it is perhaps another first step on a more important road.
It is coming thanks to people, including elephant people, who have campaigned for far longer than I have been in Thailand and it seems that the mountain has made it's first shuddering shift. A draft Animal Welfare Bill - there is a long way between a draft bill and a law - let us hope it gets past some of the political pitfalls that have held up similar endeavours and that it provides alternatives for those mahouts/owners with good hearts but who cannot see another choice.
Let us hope it drives the uncaring business mahouts off the streets and leaves their elephants in Lampang or other sanctuaries - there's always a home in the Golden Triangle.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/19Aug2006_news17.php
My lack of physical fitness aside, we managed to take six eles off the streets (if only for two days) and Chivas Regal paid to give a baby a day's rest and a tonne of food too. It may not be long term this time, but as I always say, step-by-step. This time two days, next time two weeks and let's look into the possibility of taking them off the streets permanently.
During the rest period it was certainly odd to see the army taking part in their urban warfare training amidst the elephants, thankfully not using them for cover!
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Sports/19Aug2006_sport26.php
The second article isn't as personal but it is perhaps another first step on a more important road.
It is coming thanks to people, including elephant people, who have campaigned for far longer than I have been in Thailand and it seems that the mountain has made it's first shuddering shift. A draft Animal Welfare Bill - there is a long way between a draft bill and a law - let us hope it gets past some of the political pitfalls that have held up similar endeavours and that it provides alternatives for those mahouts/owners with good hearts but who cannot see another choice.
Let us hope it drives the uncaring business mahouts off the streets and leaves their elephants in Lampang or other sanctuaries - there's always a home in the Golden Triangle.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/19Aug2006_news17.php
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