Thailand opposes RI request

Thailand opposes RI request

BANGKOK (DPA): Thai officials and wildlife protection activists have strongly opposed an Indonesian request for 12 Thai elephants and their mahouts to help the country round up their own wild pachyderms, sources said yesterday.

Officials suspect Indonesia has asked for the Thai elephants to assist its efforts to turn local pachyderms into tourist attractions, like elephant rides and shows, which Thailand has done successfully for decades.

"They will be a big competitor for Thai tourism," said Soraida Salwada, founder of the Friends of the Asian Elephants Foundation. "This is our country and we need income badly, so why should we teach others to be our competitors."

Thailand Wildlife Research Division has reportedly asked the Indonesian government to clarify its request which appeared to contain some contradictions.