Thailand: two actions for animals
1. Please click on and sign Save Starving Elephants from Temple in Thailand
2. Send letter to Ambassador Kittiphong, Samples Below
1. BACKGROUND | From Change
Targeting: Abhisit Vejjajiva (Prime Minister), H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya (Royal Thai Embassy in the United States), Police Major General Sawake Pinsinchai (Department of Forestry Police ), Tourism Authority of Thailand, Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy, and H.E. Khun Suwit Khunkitti (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment)
Started by: Stephanie Feldstein
In the Maha Sarakham province of Thailand, three elephants were butchered by a temple and their meat, skulls and tusks were sold for more than $85,000. There are seven other elephants remaining at the temple.
Sangduen Chailert, founder of the Love Elephants and the Environment foundation, said the elephants appear to be suffering from severe malnutrition and could die if they don’t receive treatment. Or they could be butchered — in Thailand, it’s legal to sell ivory from “domesticated” elephants. Chailert and other elephant advocates are calling on the government to save the remaining elephants.
When the butchering at the temple hit the news, there were concerns that it could affect tourism. Let the Thai government know that the international community is watching, and we are appalled by this situation.
Thailand needs to do more to protect their elephants, both wild and in captivity, and they can start by saving these seven neglected animals before it’s too late.
Message Text
I recently learned that three elephants were butchered by a temple in Maha Sarakham, and their meat, tusks and skulls were sold. Sangduen Chailert, founder of the Love Elephants and the Environment foundation, told the media that seven elephants still at the temple appear to be suffering from severe malnutrition and could die if they don’t receive treatment.
I urge you to save the remaining elephants. Please immediately remove them from the temple and send them to a sanctuary where they can be rehabilitated and live out their lives free from danger and exploitation.
The world often hears of Thailand’s mistreatment of captive elephants, and it has become an increasing problem with elephants being used to beg for money in the streets and now being butchered for their parts. This is cruel to the elephants in captivity and puts endangered wild elephants at risk.
This mistreatment of elephants keeps tourists away.
Please make protecting Thailand’s elephants a priority and start by rescuing the seven remaining elephants from the Maha Sarakham temple before it’s too late.
Thank you.
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2. BACKGROUND | From Isabella Vegan Blog
After an 11-year struggle, Thailand’s first animal welfare legislation, currently pending review and approval by the Decree Office, is in trouble! The Prevention of Cruelty to Animal and Animal Welfare Bill is currently in limbo, and officials need a nudge to get back on track.
The current term of the current Thai government coalition is going to end soon, and concerned Thai activists believe that if the review process of the bill is delayed further, Parliament may not have enough time to act on the bill before the session ends. If that happens, the whole lengthy process will have to be repeated when the next session convenes.
WHERE TO SEND YOUR MESSAGE
- Royal Thai Ambassador Designate, Washington D.C. |Kittiphong Na Ranong H.E.
- Webform HERE | PETA form HERE
PLEASE NOTE: if your message is lengthy, such as the second sample message, you will need to use the PETA form to support all characters, but please remember to change the target name to Ambassador Kittiphong
SAMPLE MESSAGE ONE | Courtesy PETA
Dear Ambassador Kittiphong,
I am disappointed that the worst acts of violence against animals are allowed to happen in Thailand every day and that abusers are not punished for the consequences of their actions. However, I’m also reassured to hear that the first legislation on animal welfare is finally about to take root in Thailand. I have heard that the bill is being held up by the Cabinet Secretariat, which has been slow in submitting the bill to the parliament for consideration. Unnecessary and prolonged delay will result if the bill fails to reach the parliament before the end of the current session.
I hope you will use your influence to ensure that the bill is immediately submitted to the parliament for consideration. Many compassionate people won’t visit Thailand because of the sight of animals suffering everywhere. Please pass this bill and make Thailand a better place for animals.
SAMPLE MESSAGE TWO
Dear Ambassador Kittiphong,
I am disturbed to learn of continuos violent acts against Thailand’s animals, and I writing to request you use your influence to take immediate steps to correct such.
Ours is not a challenge to be regarded as humans against humans but rather as a welcomed obligation, indeed privilege, to create and maintain an international attitude of equality and justice to our fellow non-human animal beings. We do not gain power or control by degrading animals but rather we desensitize ourselves to all cruelty, and victims become mere numbers, statistics, or unethical financial means. Objectifying animals by condoning their abusers’ violent acts or rejecting animals as undeserving of equality and respect only erodes our capacity for humaneness towards all living creatures.
It is impossible to contemplate supporting any country, via tourism or commerce, that excuses such blatant animal cruelty; as a direct consequence, the global community, refusing to defend this maliciousness, will condemn any further exploitation through personal boycotts, and that continuous abuse will prove not only socially unacceptable but also financially irresponsible. As such, please provide immediate relief for these innocent animals and instead be a representation of integrity and strive to foster an ideal whereby animals are respected and empathized by your citizens. Allocate resources to construct shelters and sanctuaries; implement sterilization and vaccination programs to prevent homeless populations and colony disease outbreaks; accept local and international advice and assistance; implement laws addressing current legal vulnerabilities; and enforce existing laws establishing animal cruelty as criminal.
I hope this letter finds you willing to scrutinize the intentional exploitation of animals and your desire to therefore protect, rather than harm, them. Thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.
NAME
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The elephant
the elephant, quiet in her largesse.
to be made irrelevant
by mankind and his mess.
this gentle, loving creature
and her family fine,
just want to live in peace,
with those of their kind.
Karen Lyons Kalmenson
Our Compass 
Stop it
LikeLike
The elephant
the elephant, quiet in her largesse.
to be made irrelevant
by mankind and his mess.
this gentle, loving creature
and her family fine,
just want to live in peace,
with those of their kind.
LikeLike