The elephants and the people of Thailand have an entwined history and culture for the past four thousand years. The large, land mammals until the 1990 ban on logging played a major part in the people’s life. The unemployed elephants were regulated to elephant parks for the tourist trade. The tsunami in Southeast Asia is linking the two again.
Elephants are working and moving where machines cannot. They are adept in mountainous terrain. Mud and marshes offer no difficulty for elephants. The elephant convoys are a blessing in the southern areas where roads are washed out and the ground is a thick mire of mud.
Elephants doing the work of a bulldozer move the tsunami debris clearing streets. Downed trees are no problem for these hard-working giants. The elephants can carry packs where trucks and cars cannot travel. The tsunami survivors cheer the return of the elephants and their mahouts(trainers).
There are sites in the forum for making donations for helping the Southeast Asia survivors.
Sign up for the free newsletter. Don’t miss future Southeast Asia Travel articles.
Rent Anna and the King and watch the elephants of Thailand.
Netflix DVD Rentals. NO LATE FEES; 30,000+ titles. Try for FREE!
Save to Del.icio.us
