Divers Protest at Performing Dolphins
Friday, July 18, 2014
PHUKET: Environmentalists fear a Dolphinarium is about to open on Phuket and are moving to stop it through an extensive social media campaign.
They are trying to confirm that a structure near Phuket Zoo in southern Phuket will become home for six dolphins and are enlisting the help of the Sea Shepherd organisation to prevent it going ahead.
''We are still seeking the names of the authorities who might be part of the approvals process,'' Phuket diver Joe Blasy told Phuketwan today.
''Dolphin shows are horrific and it would be a step in the wrong direction for Phuket.''
Messages on Facebook today claim that six dolphins are to be imported to Phuket for the show.
There would be three males - two Pacific bottlenose and one Black Sea, all born in captivity, the Facebook address says.
Three wild female Pafic bottlenose dolphins destined for the show were trapped alive in the annual dolphin slaughter that takes place each year in Taiji, Japan, according to the site.
''Most countries are moving forward and closing their dolphin parks,'' a comment says on the site.
''If you are a business in Thailand and would like to give support to stop this show, let Dive Tribe know and we will add your logo to the posters.''
It is believed the new business may have Russian funding.
Protesters aim to find out whether the Army, which is now running Thailand, approves of the captive treatment of the intelligent species.
Some years ago, a plan to turn an island off southern Phuket into a home for monkeys from all over the world was rejected.
However, there is at least one other dolphin show in Thailand, according to environmentalists.
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Comments
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I'm just appalled by this I hope everybody gets behind the protest. It's bad enough that this so called zoo exists in the first place it's a disgraceful place.
Posted by
appalled
on
July 18, 2014 17:28
Editor Comment:
Please send us a shortened version of that link
I am appalled at the lack of consciousness and inhumane desire to profit from suffering. Make this knowledge go viral. Stop the project and force the release of the dolphins in their natural territories.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 18, 2014 18:38
Well i for one hope they are refused permission to open. There is no place for these sort of "attractions" in modern society, they should be condemned to the dark ages of the environmentally ignorant. Imagine the distress the poor animals will suffer in what is no more than a swimming pool, cruel, unnecessary and exploitative.
Posted by
Terry
on
July 18, 2014 19:07
These shows and the treatment of these beautiful intelligent animals are a disgrace in this day and age. But with the Russians and Chinese peoples record regarding the treatment of animals I fear this will be a new attraction for these tourist groups and so the cruelty will go on.
Posted by
Scunner
on
July 19, 2014 04:35
I hope with all my heart that this will be stopped..we face the same with out native dolphins in new Zealand only 55 left and our government wants to open their habitat for oil exploration. And mammal and animal insect bird taken from nature for humans viewing pleasure us sick and disgusting
Posted by
Kate burrows
on
July 19, 2014 05:18
Phuket is a beautiful place so why spoil it. Tourists are more aware than ever before that these type of places are better left in the past and that seeing dolphins in their wild natural habitat is what people want.
This place will be a concentration camp for the dolphins and a costly venture for those behind it.
If you build it They WILL NOT COME. You will be a disgrace to your country and every travel blog and tourist advice page will recommend not to visit. The tide has turned against these type of attractions, they no longer have a place in the modern world!
Posted by
Nina Heins
on
July 19, 2014 05:40
Nina, you are right, the tide HAS inevitably turned, but sometimes the tide takes EONS to get to certain shores, yet better late than not at all.
Posted by
farang888
on
July 19, 2014 08:06
New Russian and Chinese tourists do not care of the problem of captive dolphin
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 19, 2014 08:58
The Dolphinarium in Phuket looks to be fully-owned by Russians with perhaps Thai nominees as sitting-partners.
As an official association, Go Eco Phuket is able to lodge an official complaint to governmental agencies to check if the Thai partners are genuime Thai investors or sleeping-partners and about all legal aspects to open a Dolphinarium in Phuket and import protected animal by CITES.
1/- NCPO (National Council for Peace and Order)
a/- To file complaints directly to the NCPO are via the ?hotline website (click @ http://www.1111.go.th/ ).
b/- By postage-free envelope mailed to 1111 Government House, Bangkok, 10302.
c/- In person at 1111 Service Center at Gate 4, Government House, Bangkok.
2/- NACC (National Anti-Corruption Commission)
Money has certainly be given to some levels in the Thai administration to get the approval for that controversial project.
a/- ????????To file a complaint, come to our office in person. You can choose whether or not to tell us your name,???????? he said. b/- ????????Alternatively, you can send a complaint by anonymous letter or call us at 076-680054-5.????????
c/- Filing a complaint include by fax to 076-210405.
d/- To email to area55_nac@nacc.go.th
e/- Via the Phuket NACC????????s Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/phuket.anticorruption
PHUKET DAMRONGTHAM CENTER (ombudsman's office)
Governor's House.
If requested, ATUS may join the petition and by contacting the dive association it may be good too.
Posted by
Whistle-Blower
on
July 19, 2014 11:25
If SeaWorld came to Phuket would people object ?
Posted by
ciaran
on
July 19, 2014 12:07
Editor Comment:
The Gold Coast would miss it badly.
This will be a sad day for phuket when this opens, I really hope it gets stopped.
Posted by
Robert London.
on
July 19, 2014 12:14
Thailand's record for animal welfare in captivity is one of the world's worst. This must be stopped. Dophins are highly intelligent. More so than the people proposing this abomination.
Posted by
Alastair Carthew
on
July 19, 2014 12:14
@ Nina whilst I am definitely against keeping intelligent animals in very cramped areas merely for show as a Jew I take exception for your comparison to Concentration Camps which were far worse and generally admitted to be the worst crime in human history.
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
July 19, 2014 12:19
Editor Comment:
Concentration camps have also been in use since their invention in the Boer War so their use is not confined to the Holocaust and your sensitivity is unwarranted.
I feel this is bad for your area of tourism there. I would never go theredif this was done because the space is not proper nor is it a good life for A great mammal of such intelligence. Disgraceful to do this to intelligent mammals. Put a human in the tank.
Posted by
Bobkat
on
July 19, 2014 13:35
This simply should not be allowed - but from what I have seen of the Chinese tourists with the animal touts, I believe they will be well supported unfortunately. I don't know if Russian tourists are of this ilk?
Posted by
Logic
on
July 19, 2014 13:53
Tiger Kingdom OK, but Dolphins not? Neither should be there to be objects of entertainment.
Posted by
Mister Ree
on
July 19, 2014 14:04
ED, why not use all this money to upgrade what they call Phuket Zoo. I'm sad to say that I will never go there again. The Aquarium at Pan Wa is a very nice place to visit with friends and children, and it's really good maintain.
Posted by
Retired Roadworker
on
July 19, 2014 14:11
Editor Comment:
Not much point in making the suggestion to me, RR, but the dolphinarium may have no connection to the zoo, apart from confinement.
seaworld queensland never seen better cared for dolphins no objection in the right hands but the Thais track record for a baht with performing animals no way known not on forget it.
Posted by
slkickmelb
on
July 19, 2014 15:27
seems like Phuket goes the wrong direction..dolphinaria are closing all over the world..zoos are prisons...animals are not entertainment....dolphins are non human persons...please evolve and stop the suffering ..animals belong to their natural habitat not in a bath tab..don't exploit them...respect and love them
Posted by
susanna
on
July 19, 2014 17:32
Anyone who isn't totally against this happening is lacking some serious morale fibre. Watch the documentary 'The cove' to see how these poor dolphins are caught and if thats not enough watch 'Blackfish' to learn about animals kept in these jail cells.
Posted by
Chalongian
on
July 19, 2014 19:09
Giving that SO MANY - virtually all - animal enclosures in Thailand, that are serving tourists, are in absolutely disgraced state both in term animals welafre AND a value as attraction itseld, for me when I hear such intense complaints against dolphinaria is tantamount very first thing that come to myu mind - WHAT MOENY INTERESTS are not served/underserved with dolphinaria - whether it is a competition threat, someone did not get expected kickback or not enough extrortiante rate of rent was agreed etc.
My friends from Europe, a family with a kid, one of parents is an investment banker,another is CFO, after visit to Khao Lak this spring, they ranted all and every animals' attraction there, and as well many in Phuket - animals virtually tortured, reckless set up and organiztaion of the attraction shops, extremely low quality of attraction itself, some stupid 80s music remixes played - and in the end it is even more expensive than in Europe. These are people who can spend a lot, but know the right price and are able to make calculation/
They were in general rather disappointed with Thailand as natural attraction, overall rather poor service, and relatively low food quality,as well as for that low quality Euroepan price are asked.
I advised them to skip the Phuket eco-catastrophe and stay in Khao Lak.
One of positive highlight was to go some deserted beach.
And Aziamendi restaurant visit (thanks to PW! - where I read about it - I told about that to manager, he was positively surprised; we actually were there on the night when when Kardsdashians and a team arrived - but we didn't know who they are - a crowd of ca.15-20 pplz , of very North-marican look (sneakers, white sock and shorts in tropical fine dining restaurant..) enetered premises and left to private dining room..).
Therefore I don't really believe to sincerity of dolphinarium's critics - not those who on perpheria, who just express his/her personal opinion, but those who are at the core of critical action, there are most likely simply business interest or someone's unstaisfied greed..
Posted by
Sue
on
July 19, 2014 23:34
Appalling. Certainly wouldn't make Phuket a more attractive place to visit....in fact the animal abuse ivory etc are becoming a turn off.
Posted by
Nicola Holden
on
July 20, 2014 10:57
I'm personally against dolphin shows. But what does the Thai majority and citizens think about it? My guess is they think it's a good thing this is coming to Phuket. Also, who are westerners to complain when these shows are offered in many western countries like the US, australia, all over Europe (including in supposedly ecoconcious Sweden where you will find one of biggest ones)? The argument vented here that thai people are just too incompetent to be able to pull this off probably won't impress the locals either. Do as I say, don't do as I do?
Posted by
christian
on
July 20, 2014 11:10
Verry bar publicitaire for Phuket, sea lovers are more and more aware that dolphins in captivity is making an unnecessary sufering of those intellingent animals.
Posted by
delphine v.
on
July 20, 2014 17:05
There are enough beautiful things in Thailand to see dont ruin it with this!
Posted by
Sharni
on
July 20, 2014 18:23
@ Fiesty Farang, I take offense to the relentless and merciless murder of Palestinians. If you are 'definitely against keeping intelligent animals in very cramped areas' you will feel the same, no doubt.
Posted by
geoff
on
July 20, 2014 18:35
I'm pretty appalled at the 'annual slaughter' of dolphins in a supposed first world country - Japan! As to this disgrace (hasn't Thailand just received a warning from CITES), there are online petitions one could sign, care.org being one of them.
Posted by
jonty
on
July 21, 2014 09:57
Tourists who want to watch dolphins suffering, imprisoned in tiny pools doing unnatural things are the sort of people who should be kept OUT of any civilised country. Thailand: don't allow this horrible spectacle to take place in your lovely land.
Posted by
shirley moore
on
July 26, 2014 20:04
No animal should be held in captivity,for the sole purpose of human greed and exploitation.
Posted by
Elaine Walls
on
July 28, 2014 02:55
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I'm just appalled by this I hope everybody gets behind the protest. It's bad enough that this so called zoo exists in the first place it's a disgraceful place.
Posted by appalled on July 18, 2014 17:28
Editor Comment:
Please send us a shortened version of that link