The Most Controversial Traveller Blog for Thailand Post That Divided the Internet

The Most Controversial Traveller Blog for Thailand Post That Divided the Internet

Looking for honest travel advice about Thailand? This post is for backpackers and ethical travelers who want the real story behind Thailand's most debated tourist attractions. We'll dive into the heated controversy surrounding elephant trekking experiences, explore why the infamous Tiger Temple sparked global outrage, and examine how these attractions are reshaping conversations about ethical tourism in Southeast Asia.

The Controversial Day Trip from Bangkok

The Controversial Day Trip from Bangkok

Overview of the multi-stop tour package

For travelers seeking to maximize their Bangkok experience, the controversial day trip package offers an all-inclusive tour that takes visitors beyond the city limits. For approximately 1,000 Baht (€25) per person, this comprehensive package includes multiple stops showcasing Thailand's diverse attractions, all condensed into a single day of exploration.

The tour begins early, with pickup around 7am from central Bangkok locations near Khaosan Road. Participants embark on a journey westward in a minivan, joining fellow tourists from various countries. The itinerary includes:

• Elephant trekking at the Damnoen Saduak Elephant Camp

• A visit to the floating market

• Lunch included in the package

• Historical stop at the Bridge on the River Kwai

• The controversial Tiger Temple experience

• Return to Bangkok in time for dinner

The full-day excursion promises to deliver wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, historical sites, and unique photo opportunities that would be difficult to arrange independently in such a condensed timeframe.

Addressing potential reader sensitivities

This day trip includes activities that have sparked significant ethical debates, particularly regarding animal tourism. Readers should be aware of the following sensitivities before booking:

• Elephant trekking: This activity involves riding elephants in a jungle setting. Some visitors report discomfort about the treatment of elephants, noting concerns about the baskets and ropes used on the animals. The experience often includes opportunities to purchase elephant-related souvenirs, including items allegedly made from elephant teeth.

• Tiger Temple: This controversial attraction requires an additional fee (600 Baht/€15) beyond the tour price. Visitors are allowed close contact with chained tigers for photo opportunities. The facility has faced numerous allegations regarding animal treatment, including claims of drugging and mistreatment of animals.

For visitors with strong animal welfare concerns, this particular tour package may cause distress. Alternative day trips focusing on cultural or historical attractions might be more appropriate.

Price points and logistical details

Pricing breakdown:

• Base tour cost: 1,000 Baht (approximately €25) per person

• Additional Tiger Temple entrance fee: 600 Baht (approximately €15) per person

• Optional extras: Photo souvenirs (300 Baht/€7), premium tiger photo packages

Important logistics:

• Early morning departure (around 7am)

• Approximately 2-hour drive to the first destination

• Total tour duration: Full day (returning to Bangkok by dinner time)

• Transportation provided via minivan with other international tourists

Dress code requirements:

• Women must wear clothing covering knees and shoulders

• All participants must avoid wearing bright colors (specifically pink, red, or orange) as these may agitate the animals

• Loose items and bags must be secured during animal encounters

Required documentation:

• Liability waiver must be signed before the Tiger Temple visit, acknowledging the risks of proximity to wild animals

For travelers with limited time in Bangkok, this package offers efficiency and variety, though the ethical considerations remain a significant factor in deciding whether to participate.

Elephant Trekking Experience

Elephant Trekking Experience

For years, I believed elephant riding in Thailand was a culturally respectful activity, similar to horseback riding in Western countries. My experience at an elephant trekking camp near Bangkok, however, forced me to confront some uncomfortable truths about this popular tourist attraction.

Ethical considerations and personal reflections

I initially justified elephant riding as culturally acceptable in Thailand, similar to how horses are used for transportation and tourism in other countries. However, after witnessing the training methods firsthand, I realized there's a stark difference. While horses have been domesticated over thousands of years, elephants are wild animals that require breaking of their spirit through a process locals call "phajaan" or "the crush" to make them submissive to human commands.

The mahouts (elephant handlers) carried sharp metal hooks, which they occasionally used to control these massive animals. One particular elephant had visible scars behind its ears where these hooks had repeatedly made contact. This was troubling to witness, especially when contrasted with the playful, natural behavior of elephants I later observed at a sanctuary.

Comparison with horse riding and cultural acceptance

Many tourists, myself included, initially justified elephant riding by comparing it to horseback riding. This comparison, however, overlooks crucial differences. Horses have been bred for riding over thousands of years, with spines evolved to support weight. Elephants, despite their size, have spines not designed to carry weight on their backs.

Additionally, while horse riding is deeply integrated into many cultures through centuries of partnership between humans and horses, elephant trekking as a tourist activity is relatively new, emerging primarily to meet tourist demand rather than from Thai cultural traditions. Traditional elephant work in Thailand focused on logging and transportation, not carrying tourists on metal seats.

Observations of elephant treatment and conditions

At the camp, elephants were chained when not working, with little room to move naturally. They swayed repetitively - a stress behavior I later learned is called "stereotypic movement" and indicates psychological distress. Their schedules were grueling, with some elephants giving rides for 8-10 hours daily in the sweltering Thai heat.

The contrast became even clearer when I later visited an ethical elephant sanctuary where the animals roamed freely, formed natural social bonds, and engaged in natural behaviors like dust bathing and foraging. The difference in the elephants' demeanor was striking - they appeared more animated and exhibited more diverse behaviors.

Commercial aspects and souvenirs

The trekking camp was a well-oiled commercial operation. Before and after rides, handlers encouraged tourists to purchase bananas to feed the elephants or posed for additional photos for extra fees. The gift shop sold souvenirs made from "ethically sourced" elephant hair and painted artwork supposedly created by the elephants themselves.

I later discovered many of these commercial practices were problematic. Elephant hair souvenirs often encourage unethical treatment, as handlers may pull hair from living elephants. The "elephant-made" artwork typically involves handlers manipulating the elephant's trunk with hidden commands, sometimes using painful techniques.

For those seeking elephant experiences in Thailand, there are now numerous ethical sanctuaries focused on observation rather than interaction. Places like Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Elephant Hills in Khao Sok, and Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary in Sukhothai allow visitors to observe these magnificent animals in more natural settings without contributing to their exploitation.

The Tiger Temple Controversy

The Tiger Temple Controversy

A. Entry procedures and safety protocols

Visitors to the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi Province were charged 600 Thai Baht ($16, £11) for basic entry to the temple grounds. Upon arrival, guests would encounter a structured environment where tigers were kept in different areas, with specific protocols for human-animal interaction. The temple operated as essentially a theme park sprawling over 60 acres, with Tiger Island occupying 5 acres in the center.

Safety measures included having tigers on chain leashes when brought to "the Canyon" - an artificial habitat with rocky cliff faces and a pond - where tourists could take photos with the animals. Staff and volunteers would supervise all interactions, though many former workers expressed discomfort with these arranged photo sessions despite their financial necessity.

B. Photo opportunities and pricing structure

The Tiger Temple offered tiered pricing for different experiences with the tigers:

• Basic entry: 600 Thai Baht ($20)

• Cuddling a tiger cub: Additional 1,000 Thai Baht ($35)

• Special photo sessions in the Canyon area

These photo opportunities were the primary revenue stream for the temple, with 200-300 visitors daily generating income to maintain the facility. The business model revolved around tourists paying for selfies with tigers, with cubs being particularly popular. However, this created a problematic cycle, as cubs become dangerous adolescents at around 6 months of age, potentially driving continued breeding to maintain a supply of photogenic cubs.

C. Direct observations of the tigers' conditions

The tigers at the temple were primarily kept in individual concrete cells, though they were given access to larger enclosures on a rotating basis. According to former volunteers, conditions at the Tiger Temple were mixed:

• Tigers had limited space but were not constantly caged

• Some former workers claimed tigers were mistreated, poorly fed, and lacked proper veterinary care

• Temple volunteers contested accusations that animals were drugged to make them compliant around tourists

• Former volunteer Tanya Erzinclioglu stated the temple was "one of the better places for tigers in Thailand" compared to other facilities

The temple claimed to be developing improved conditions, including purchasing adjacent land for a new sanctuary where "each cat would have had 4 acres and no human contact," though this plan was halted when authorities shut down the facility.

D. Additional animal encounters on the premises

Beyond tigers, the temple housed numerous other animals across its 60-acre property:

• Hundreds of deer, boar and cows roamed the outer scrub areas

• Civet cats, ponies and peafowl were present in groups

• At least one lion named Petchy remained at the temple even after the tigers were confiscated

• Reports indicated jackals, hornbills and Asian bears were also kept at the sanctuary

The temple was also found to possess various wildlife products during the raid, including two adult tiger pelts, a bear carcass, around 1,500 tiger skin amulets, and trinkets made from tiger teeth. These items were allegedly given to people who donated money to the temple, though temple representatives claimed some of the pelts belonged to tigers that had died naturally at the park.

Ethical Tourism Debates

Ethical Tourism Debates

Addressing social media criticism

Since sharing my experiences at elephant trekking camps and the Tiger Temple, I've received overwhelming criticism on social media. Many followers pointed out that these attractions often involve animal exploitation and abuse. The Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand emphasizes that "wildlife shouldn't be 'tame'" and that the friendly behavior we see in tourist attractions often results from animals being "regularly drugged and/or beaten to enforce obedience."

I understand now that my participation may have inadvertently supported practices that harm wildlife, and I appreciate those who took the time to educate rather than simply condemn.

Personal stance on animal attractions

Having reflected deeply on my experiences, I've changed my perspective on animal tourism. Previously, I believed that these attractions helped conservation efforts, but research shows otherwise. As Hannah S. Mumby, an assistant professor studying human-wildlife interactions, notes, "an elephant is always still a wild animal" regardless of how innocuous a tourism experience appears.

I no longer support venues that allow riding, bathing with, or taking photos with wild animals. The notion that these animals enjoy human attention is what the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand calls "a dangerous myth," and I regret my earlier endorsement of such activities.

Balancing tourism experiences with ethical concerns

With this new understanding, I've learned there are ways to enjoy Thailand's magnificent wildlife without contributing to exploitation. World Animal Protection recommends that tourists "only visit venues where you can look, not touch." This means no riding, bathing, or patting elephants, and avoiding venues where animals perform unnatural behaviors.

The appropriateness of engaging with wild animals is, as Mumby states, "a social and cultural conversation that is constantly in flux." While some researchers suggest management practices matter more than the specific activity, others like biologist Clifford Warwick believe "any directly interactive tourism is unresolvably problematic."

Supporting legitimate animal welfare organizations

For those planning trips to Thailand who still want wildlife experiences, I recommend researching legitimate sanctuaries. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries provides accreditation for facilities that truly prioritize animal welfare. World Animal Protection also recommends specific elephant sanctuaries in Thailand.

When researching, look for places where animals:

• Roam freely without chains

• Don't perform or interact with tourists

• Have no bull hooks or other control devices present

• Are not used for photos with tourists

Additionally, consider these ethical alternatives:

1. Visit national parks where you can observe wildlife in natural habitats

2. Support conservation education programs

3. Contribute to organizations working to protect Thailand's wildlife

4. Learn about local wildlife from knowledgeable conservationists

By making responsible choices, we can collectively promote ethical wildlife tourism while still experiencing Thailand's natural beauty.

As we've explored Thailand's most controversial tourist attractions, it's clear that elephant trekking and tiger temples represent the complex ethical dilemmas facing modern travelers. What was once considered standard tourism has evolved into heated debates about animal welfare, conservation, and responsible travel choices.

The journey to ethical tourism continues, and your travel decisions matter. Before booking that elephant ride or tiger photo opportunity, research alternatives like ethical sanctuaries where observation replaces exploitation. By making informed choices, we can enjoy Thailand's natural wonders while ensuring they remain for future generations to appreciate in their most authentic form.