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The Phuket Dolphinarium appears to be complete behind metal screening

Phuket Dolphinarium Decision Likely 'in About Two Weeks'

Tuesday, September 30, 2014
PHUKET: A decision on the future of the Phuket Dolphinarium is likely to come in about two weeks, according to officials.

''By then, two committees examining the issue should have lodged their reports in Bangkok,'' said Phuket's Department of Fisheries Director Kiattikun Jaroensawan.

It is believed four dolphins are being trained in Russia or the Ukraine in preparation for the transfer of the creatures to the round aquarium in Soi Palai, near the Phuket Zoo.

Critics of the project say that the pool area appears too small and that the dolphins may have been captured alive during a brutal cull that takes place each year in Japan.

The main building on the Phuket site seems to be complete but behind a metal fence, with security guards warning off anyone who attempts to photograph the complex.

Comments

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It will be interesting to see if the "No Pictures" policy will be in place if and when the facility opens. Nice to know they have such a friendly approach towards the general public already in place.

Posted by Herbert on September 30, 2014 10:25

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Dolphin den of death may also be dangerous for humans. Looking at the structure from the outside there seems to be limited escape routes.

Posted by Doplhin Den of Death on September 30, 2014 10:58

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How sad that the decision is being made at around the same time as the annual dolphin hunt in Japan. If dolphins were not kept in cruel conditions like this it would be one more reason to stop the annual dolphin hunt. Shame on this venture and shame on Japan as a leading economic power but not such a civilised nation. Barbaric at anytime but especially in 2014. Boycott Japanese goods until they stop.

Posted by Feisty Farang on September 30, 2014 11:02

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Students Against Dolphinarium SAD. The Greedy Russian developers should know that there is signifiant depth of feeling againts this dolphinarium and if it does go through they should expect well funded protest movement against this.

There are also possible safety issues for vistors, one way or another, these wonderful mammals will be saved from a sad fate.

Posted by Students Against Dolphinarium on September 30, 2014 11:09

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I really hope that the Government will NOT allow them to open this place.
We DO NOT need it in Phuket or Thailand.

Posted by Mj on September 30, 2014 11:10

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Let Dolphins live in Peace and Freedom! Dolphins are pure Love! THINK ABOUT THAT!

Posted by ArpRegina on September 30, 2014 13:26

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cannot see it being stopped one just opened in singapore much to the complaints of local well organised wildlife groups

Posted by Michael on September 30, 2014 14:18

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Hey y'all, I sure is sorry I don't write for a while, see Bubba and me we got into some bother here in county, wes been in the hole for a while. Same these greedy Russian people want to do with these poor dolphin.
I tell you being locked up in the hole, no where to go, nothing to do, it's real bad, sends you crazy ya know, makes a man wanna do things he wouldn't normally - like read that little lady Sues writings, let me tell y'all that however bored you are, however much time you have, they is still rubbish, make no sense.
Any way these dolphin, they should not be locked up, believe me, it's not good, will send them crazy for sure. They should be free, they ain't done no crime, taken from their families, watching some family members killed it's just not right. These here people that wants to make money by torturing these poor animals, they should come stay with me and Bubba for a whiles, see how they get along in our cage, coz its mighty cozy, and Bubba he really likes new fish!
Greed is not good, making money from suffering is what gets criminals locked up, these poor dolphin theys victims, they gonna suffer for sure, life without the possibility of parole, trust me when your here that from the judge it sure ain't good! Gotta go now, best to the little lady Sue, Freddie.

Posted by Freddie on September 30, 2014 14:39

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"Aquarium" is a real stretch. The tank is more like a pond

Posted by Scudman on September 30, 2014 16:31

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There is no May about. It has been confirmed that the Dolphins orginate from Taiji, where many are brutally slaughtered in a small cove that runs red with blood evey year. Those that are picked by trainers are then shipped for huge sums of money to dolphin prisons such as this.

Just because Singapore chose to open a throw back facility does not mean that everyone else should too. Thailand and Phuket has the opportunity to rise above this archaic practice and show the rest of the world that this is no longer acceptable.

If it goes ahead then it's another shame on the reputation of Thailand.

Posted by Lord Melchett on September 30, 2014 16:46

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Five of the eight dolphins on the import document HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED as wild catures in Taiji, so there is no may here...the word is ARE. Please report truthfully!

Posted by Bruce H Crocker on September 30, 2014 17:09

Editor Comment:

Please send the documentation to editor@phuketwan.com, I'm afraid taking the word of strangers is not something we can do.

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97% of the people who voted in the poll are against this dolphin cruelty. I don't give this dolphin thing a long time. Thai students are against it,I expect actions from students. Most people on Phuket , 97%!!! do not want this. Were is the thai democratic work out here?

Posted by Kurt on September 30, 2014 18:43

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This dolphinarium MUST NOT BE ALLOWED to happen. The whole captive dolphin industry for entertainment is vile. For six months of the year dolphins are being brutally slaughtered in Taiji Japan so some can be selected for captivity. These dolphins sell for about $500000. So these kinds of dolphinariums just fuel and perpetuate these cruel and barbaric dolphin drives. Dolphins belong free in the ocean. Not enslaved in a tiny concrete tank, going quietly insane as they have to do ridiculous tricks for food to entertain ignorant humans. This must NOT happen.

Posted by Anonymous on October 1, 2014 08:24

Editor Comment:

Your words might have greater impact with a signature of some kind.

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i am a regular visit to Thailand and Phuket but I will choose to go elsewhere if this goes ahead, it's 2014 for crying out loud and we should not be kidnapping and imprisoning intelligent sentient creatures for our own amusement. If you want to see Dolphins go on a boat trip into the wild and see them where they belong!

Posted by Nicola redhead on October 2, 2014 05:33

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1 Thing I do not understand. Which thai Phuket government department did give a building permit/license to allow to build that small dolphin complex? Giving a building permit, but until now not sure or thai government give a license to open/use this complex? Did the fire brigade authorities already examen the complex on safety for tourists as well the dolphins?

Posted by Kurt on October 3, 2014 11:45


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