Their data showed pachyderm welfare routinely came in second place to turning a fast profit, with three-quarters of Asia's captive elephants kept in conditions that were rated poor or unacceptable. Of the 2,923 elephants WAP documented working within Asia's tourism trade, 2,198 were found in Thailand alone. Highest rated venues rarely or never chained their elephants, limited or banned close interactions with tourists and allowed the animals to socialise in herds. In Thailand only eight venues were rated as good, compared to 114 rated poor. Researchers added that the 30 percent increase in Thailand's tourist elephant population since 2010 was based mostly in poorly rated venues.

Source: The Nation Bangkok July 06, 2017 04:38 UTC