Animal shows are a disgrace to Thailand

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013
Animal shows are a disgrace to Thailand

A trainer at the tourist crocodile farm recently had a close call when he put his head in the animal's mouth. While I am happy he was not seriously hurt, I have little sympathy for him and even less for the tourist attraction in question.

Tourists are the only reason performing-animal shows exist, and until tourists start to understand the cruel methods that are used to train animals for entertainment, little will change. Magnificent animals such as tigers, elephants, monkeys, snakes and crocodiles are routinely used to “entertain” tourists, and one can only feel sorry for the people who find these shows amusing. Exploitation of animals for profit is a disgrace and a poor reflection on Thailand and its tourism industry.
Chris Kaye
Chonburi