Cultural Contradictions - Elephants roam the cityscape
Alike with cultures around the world, there is always evidence of cultural contradictions within a nation. But, to me, this one is hard to swallow or comprehend. The alarming starter; there are NO laws to protect or fund reserves, as they are considered to be livestock like chicken or cow. The population of elephants in Thailand was approximately100,000 in the early1900's. Today, that figure is approximately 3,000 - 4,000 with almost half of that number domesticated and the remainder living wild in National Parks. Your math is correct, its population is only around 5% of what it was a century ago... and diminishing." />
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Gentle Giants: Elephants

Their Significances Elephants form an important part of Thai culture and national symbols. It is easy to spot this from the open markets with their mark on the silk ties, handicrafts for appeal to the tourism industry, to the advertisement logos on beer and soda bottles (Chang products). Their spiritual significances started when Queen Maya, mother of Buddha, was only able to conceive after having a dream that a white elephant enter inside her. This is highly auspicious and considered royal status in Thailand. Moreover, Thai Buddhists incorporate Hindu beliefs with the "Ganesh" - the Hindu gods with an elephant's head, seen at temple entrances. Elephants are revered so much so that on March 13th each year is Thai Elephant Day. This is to bring awareness of the importance of elephant conservation. Cultural Contradictions - Elephants roam the cityscape Alike with cultures around the world, there is always evidence of cultural contradictions within a nation. But, to me, this one is hard to swallow or comprehend. The alarming starter; there are NO laws to protect or fund reserves, as they are considered to be livestock like chicken or cow. The population of elephants in Thailand was approximately100,000 in the early1900's. Today, that figure is approximately 3,000 - 4,000 with almost half of that number domesticated and the remainder living wild in National Parks. Your math is correct, its population is only around 5% of what it was a century ago... and diminishing.

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