Elephant rides in Thailand: Fun or cruel? | DW Documentary

Nueng the elephant is an attraction for rides - though it’s unlikely to be his choice. The 30 year old male is one of the elephants in the Maesa Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. Taking an elephant ride is at the top of many tourists’ wishlists. It’s a thriving business, particularly with Chinese holidaymakers. However, resistance to this popular spectacle is growing among animal welfare organisations. Consequently, many elephant camps now only offer visitors the chance to feed the animals or