street begging elephants

People come to Thailand for many things, but one of the most popular is to see the country’s most revered animal — the Asian elephant.

Sadly, elephants in Thailand are considered livestock and therefore have no rights. Although outlawed in most of the country a few years ago, street begging elephants can still be found.

Among the throngs of people, a baby elephant is found begging for food.

Recently, street begging elephants have been sighted everywhere from the outskirts of Bangkok to the busy streets of Chiang Mai.

The street is no place for an elephant.

Many of the elephants you see on the street have been taken away from their mothers when they are too young to be weened. They work day and night, standing on the side of the road waiting for passersby to purchase food from their owner so they can have a bite to eat. They suffer from hunger, thirst and, often times, injuries from their mahout, life on the street and cars.