Animal welfare in Thailand is a somewhat thorny subject, indeed the country is often criticised for its apparent lack of collective care as far as animal rights go. However in a country where you do not need to travel far in order to see examples of animal abuse you might be surprised at just how many animal welfare organisations there are.
True they are mostly non-governmental organisations(NGO) that are basically charities but they are there and generally speaking they do a sterling job in caring for Thailand’s sick and abused animals.
While it is pleasing to note that many Thais and some foreigners devote an awful lot of their time to helping sick animals it seems to me that that successive Thai governments have done little to address the issue.
Thai Law and Animal Welfare
As it stands at the moment there is no specific animal welfare legislation in Thailand and it appears that the only law protecting animals in Thailand is a clause in the Criminal Law, Article 381, which states “a person committing an act of cruelty or killing an animal by means which induce unnecessary torment shall be sentenced to one month in jail or fined one thousand Baht or both.” The term “cruelty”, however, is not defined and there is no evidence to suggest that anyone has ever been convicted of such an offence.
There is currently a Government Bill waiting for approval entitled, “The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Animal Welfare Bill,” which has made its way very slowly through the parliamentary process and is now awaiting a final reading, although given the short time remaining in this parliamentary session, it seems unlikely that the bill will see the light of day any time soon.
Even if the animal cruelty bill is subsequently made law I doubt that in the short term that animals in Thailand will benefit greatly. For this to happen it seems to me that there needs to be a fundamental change in the way a lot of Thai people think and where they see their personal responsibilities lying as far as the subject is concerned.
Animal Welfare in Rural Thailand
Take the village where I live for example, a commune of some 1000 souls spread around the area. On a 10km circular evening cycle ride I have counted upwards of fifty stray dogs abandoned in the rural areas away from the houses. Dumped to fend for themselves these animals are often emaciated and sick as well as being very aggressive too. However this does not stop them breeding and increasing the problem.
Lest you should think that all members of my local community are animal abusers let me just say that I know several folk who tour the areas I have mentioned feeding the animals with food scraps and doing there best for the pathetic canines.
The monks in my local temple also do their bit, feeding and even treating sick animals, which is just as well since like most Wat’s in Thailand it has a pack of stray dogs and cats inhabiting its grounds. But it remains a never ending task and local animal welfare volunteers continue to just scrape the surface of the underlying problem.
Asian Culture and the Dog
Asia’s relationship with dogs does not help the plight of many animals in Thailand. Valued in some cultures for there pelts and meat it is still common for many dogs in Thailand to find themselves being traded by their owners/finders for nothing more than a plastic bucket. When I was researching this post I came across an article on this trade which makes horrific reading. While, Animal Slaughter – Dog Slaughter House, was actually written in 1997, there is plenty of evidence that this trade continues until this day here in Thailand. You can also read, Soi Dogs and the Bucket Truck Man to see what I mean.
Wild Animal Welfare in Thailand
Of course its not just “domesticated” animals whose welfare is of concern in Thailand. Truly wild animals are also subject for concern, particularly the dwindling population of Tigers and Elephants.
Here, it might be argued that tourist attractions where these animals are sometimes employed or put on show, actually helps with their welfare and conservation. However it might also be argued that places like a well known temple near Kanchanaburi, where the public can mingle with “wild Tigers,” is both dangerous and counter productive in the conservation stakes, while the conditions in which the animals are kept is not in the best interests of their welfare.
So what for the future of animal welfare in Thailand? Well aside from the proposed legislation I mentioned above I also found this comment on World Society for the Protection of Animals web site which maybe offers a glimmer of hope for abused animals in Thailand:
January 2010: Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment made a big step forward for animal well being this month by stating official support, in principle, for the development of a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare.
A Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) is a proposed set of principles which, if endorsed by the United Nations, will result in international recognition on animal welfare as a key part of worldwide social development.
As I said at the beginning of this article animal welfare in Thailand is a thorny issue.
What are your views on the subject?
Sources:
World Society for the Protection of Animals.
Thai Animals Guardians Association(including image credit for “Bucket Truck”)
www.thaisabai.org
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