Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOURISM
Most forms of tourism, despite the prevailing prejudices, have a positive economic effect on the local economy in Thail-
and by providing jobs for young workers and business opportunities for entrepreneurs. But in an effort to be more than
just a consumer, many travellers look for opportunities to spend where their money might be needed, either on charitable
causes or activities that preserve traditional ways of life.
Diving
The popularity of Thailand's diving industry places immense pressure on fragile coral sites. To help preserve the eco-
logy, adhere to these simple rules.
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Avoid touching living marine organisms, standing on coral or dragging equipment (such as fins) across the reef. Coral
polyps can be damaged by even the gentlest contact.
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When treading water in shallow reef areas, be careful not to kick up clouds of sand, which can easily smother the del-
icate reef organisms.
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Take great care in underwater caves where your air bubbles can be caught within the roof and leave previously sub-
merged organisms high and dry.
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Join a coral clean-up campaign that's sponsored by dive shops.
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Don't feed the fish or allow your dive operator to dispose of excess food in the water. The fish become dependent on
this food source and don't tend to the algae on the coral, causing harm to the reef.
F or more information,
Click here
.
Elephant Encounters
Throughout Thai history, elephants have been revered for their strength, endurance and intelligence, working alongside
their mahouts harvesting teak, transporting goods through mountainous terrain or fighting ancient wars.
But many of the elephants' traditional roles have either been outsourced to machines or outlawed (logging was banned
in 1989), leaving the domesticated animals and their mahouts without work. Some mahouts turned to begging on the
streets in Bangkok and other tourist centres, but most elephants found work in Thailand's tourism industry; their jobs
vary from circuslike shows to elephant camps giving rides to tourists. Other elephant encounters include mahout-training
schools, while sanctuaries and rescue centres provide modest retirement homes to animals that can no longer work and
are no longer financially profitable to their owners.
It costs about 30,000B (US$1000) per month to provide a comfortable living standard for an elephant; this amount is
equivalent to the salary of Thailand's upper middle class and the work life of an elephant is about 50 years. Welfare
standards within the tourism industry are not standardised or subject to government regulations so it's up to the conscien-
tious consumer to encourage the industry to ensure safe working conditions for elephants.
Here are some questions to ask the elephant camps to make sure you've chosen a well-run operation.
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Does the camp employ a veterinarian?
