Why we do what we do (those of a sensitive disposition look away now)

By John Roberts 21 October 2008 01:12:00

There are times when I may wonder at what we do here, not really doubt the effectiveness and purpose of bringing the elephants off the streets but wonder, when visiting the camps of families - not, perhaps, those camped under the roads in Bangkok but those in the outer towns.  

    Elephants in waist high grass, their family camped around them, sugarcane bought in from the provinces, might there not be a place for this too; in a world where the elephant depends on tourism and the tourists are slowing down, isn't this an ancient essentially transient lifestyle adapted to the modern world?

    Certainly, during the wet season the adults that roam from town to town here in the North, camping in temples and farmers' donated old paddy, sticking to the back roads would seem to have a reasonable life, I met a very fat young - though alone in ele terms - ele on the beach in Krabi, very healthy and calm.

    In our rush to bring all elephants off the streets and with our well known shortage of land, sometimes I wonder if we can't allow viable alternatives and then a story like the one below comes along to remind me...

    ...the reality of modern Thailand is no place for an ele, of course we're all at risk of being hit by a car every time we cross the street (especially in Bangkok) but at least we know and understand the risks - whether we believe the poor owner's (don't forget he's just lost a son and an elephant, his family's future and their only asset - hard not to have sympathy) claim that he's only been down there for a couple of days - whether or not the driver was drunk (as many are at night), whether or not we have sympathy for the economic realities of an elephant lifestyle there is no doubt in my mind that Plai Bounmee should not have been on that street at night.

    As K. Soriada points out, elephants should be where they belong, the question she doesn't answer is where they belong - I know a few places, as it happens, where elephants and mahouts can live, give me more land and I'll show you some more.  
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ACCIDENT

A seven-year-old male elephant and a 16-year-old boy were killed and two people injured when hit by a pick-up truck while crossing a road in Bangkok in the early hours of yesterday. The elephant, Phlai Boonmee, and the youth, identified only as Chit, died on the spot. Sitthichai Yiawaram, 12, suffered injuries to his head and Kongsit Thalerngsuk, 24, scrapes and bruising.

Phlai Boonmee, a seven-year-old bull elephant, died after being hit by a pick-up truck on Srinakarin road in the early hours of yesterday. The elephant was brought to Bangkok by its owner to beg for food and money.

The vehicle's driver, Surachai Sunthornpadakul, 40, had a cut under his eye. The injured people were taken to Vibhavadi Ram hospital.

The elephant's owner, Boonchan Yiawaram, 36, said he, his son Sitthichai and their neighbours came from Buri Ram two days ago to beg for food and money in Bangkok.

After roaming the streets near Lam Salee intersection in Bang Kapi district on Wednesday evening, they had returned to the place in Srinakarin road where they were staying, and were hit by the speeding vehicle as they crossed the road, Mr Boonchan said.

Suebsakul Khemthong said the driver was charged with reckless driving causing death and injury.

Eyewitnesses said the driver appeared to be drunk, Pol Lt-Col Suebsakul said.

Soraida Salwala, founder of the Friends of the Asian Elephant foundation, said the problems of elephants roaming the streets had gone on for too long.

The authorities paid only lip service to improving the welfare of the roaming elephants and the mahouts.

''This accident could have been prevented. Elephants should not roam about in cities. They should stay where they belong,'' Ms Soraida said.

She would ask Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin to make sure Bangkok is free of roaming elephants.

She was also seeking legal avenues for action against people involved in abusing elephants and against high-ranking officials who turn a blind eye to the problem

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