Tourists warned on feeding elephants
04/08/2010
Authorities in the capital of Thailand have issued an ordinance in a bid to prevent damages caused by elephants in the city.
Holidaymakers as well as residents in Bangkok are warned not to give bunches of bananas or sugar cane to the beasts in the streets. Anyone found feeding the elephants could face a 320 US dollar (£209) fine, the authorities said.
The Asian country has around 2,400 domestic elephants. However, due to a lack of demand of their services these days, the elephants are proffered by their owners to make money.
Recent reports showed people have been hurt by elephants in the capital city, making it all the more important that people making a trip to Bangkok should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy.
Manit Techa-apichoke, deputy director of the City Law Enforcement Department, said: "The ordinance is issued to prevent untidiness or danger toward properties and lives of Bangkok residents."
The latest move is welcomed by Friends of the Asian Elephant, a Thai non-governmental group which cares for elephants.
Its founder Soraida Salwalla said: "I have been asking for them to do this for 15 years. It is not the total solution, but it is a help."
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