Bangkok
Cher calls for Thailand’s only gorilla to be rescued after 30 years in Bangkok shopping mall zoo
US singer Cher has taken to Twitter to expose the plight of a Thai gorilla known as Bua Noi, who has lived above a shopping mall for 30 years. With her mate having died several years ago, she is Thailand’s only gorilla. Cher’s mission to rehome Bua Noi comes just after her rescue of 36 year old Kaavan in Pakistan, dubbed “the world’s loneliest elephant.” The singer’s favourite charity Free the Wild managed to relocate Kaavan to a Cambodian sanctuary after he spent years living alone, in allegedly ‘less-than-satisfactory’ conditions, in a zoo in Islamabad.
With Kaavan safely taken care of, the plight of Bua Noi, living in Pata Zoo, on the top floor of a Bangkok shop mall, has captured the singer’s attention. The zoo has been in operation since the late 1980s and is home to various species of monkey, reptiles and birds, over 2 floors. It has been condemned by animal welfare activists and others as completely unfit for purpose.
Below are excerpts from some of the Tripadvisor reviews for the facility.
“Rooftop of aninal cruelty and hell! horrific cruel and should be shut down!!! The poor gorilla is all by herself and desperate for affection and should be with her own kind…. don’t get me started on the rest of these poor creatures!”
“Horrible. Please send the animals to a conservation group. They are unhappy and starving. The pata mall is mostly abandoned and desolate, everyone forgets there is a zoo there and the animals are suffering.”
Now, a tweet from Cher, in which she pleads for help in relocating Bua Noi, has made news around the world.
Mark Cowne from Free the Wild says the charity is in contact with the Thai government in hopes of being able to rehome Bua Noi, as well as a number of other animals at Pata Zoo, including an orangutan and her baby.
“None of these animals appear to be being properly cared for and the reports we have received refer to the zoo as decrepit and overrun with rats and cockroaches. No matter how much ‘care and attention’ is lavished on these animals by their owners and keepers, just by keeping them in such confines and conditions is purgatory for them in terms of their well-being and mental health. These primates are the closest living relatives to mankind and, when we wish to severely punish another of our own species, we put them into solitary confinement. The worst possible punishment for a human. And, even then, it is for a limited period. But these wild, wonderful, charismatic animals are in solitary confinement for life. In a zoo. On top of a shopping mall. That is far removed from the lowlands of the Congo.”
For its part, the government has responded to the allegations, with Varawut Silpa-Archa, Minister for Natural Resources and the Environment, refuting the suggestion that the animals have been forgotten about.
“Please be informed that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has never forgotten or ignored Bua Noi. I, myself as minister in charge of wildlife conservation, have given instruction to the relevant agencies in order to find the best solution for a better life of Bua Noi.”
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Wildlife Conservation Office, part of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, says the zoo is not currently in violation of any rules by having the gorilla there, adding that the owners have already been advised in the past to improve conditions. Officials say the deadline for the zoo to apply for an extension to its permit is approaching and, if the necessary improvements are not made, the extension will be postponed.
However, in an interview with the UK’s Sky News, zoo owner Kanit Sermsirimongkol has dismissed the accusations against the facility, insisting all the animals are well looked after.
SOURCE: Sky News
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Thailand
BTS Skytrain’s Green Line maximum fare to rise, Rail Transport Department disagrees with the move
After the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration agreed to raise the maximum fare on the BTS Skytrain’s Green Line from 59 baht to 158 baht, the Rail Transport Department is calling on city officials to suspend the maximum fare ceiling, saying it would put an unfair burden on passengers.
Bangkok Governor Aswin announced earlier that the maximum fare of 158 baht is to be imposed on February 16, but a discount to 104 baht is offered during the Covid-19 outbreak. The City Hall needs to increase the fare rate because it can’t pay the debt to Bangkok Mass Transit System.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob says the BMA should halt its policy on the new BTS maximum fare and wait for other authorities to find proper solutions.
The Chairman of a House committee on transport, Sophon Sarum, a former transport minister, dismisses the BMA’s claim of its financial inability to repay the Green Line’s loans while suggesting the BMA to manage the Green Line’s finances by raising funds from banks and other financial institutions.
The Rail Department and BMA will meet to discuss the maximum fare ceiling this week.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post | Coconuts Bangkok
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With the increasing demands for health insurance due to people’s worries over Covid-19, health insurance premiums are expected to grow 1.59% this year, according to the Insurance Commission.
Commission secretary-general Suthipol Taweechaikarn says total premiums will see 101 billion baht revenues this year, an increase from 99 billion baht last year. He adds that the Covid-19 situation is a major factor in higher demand for health insurance policies as medical expenses are likely to increase every year.
Some insurance companies in Thailand have also found an increasing demand for health coverage policies among their customers, especially those with high purchasing power.
Deputy CEO of Tokio Marine Life Insurance Thailand says the company will offer annual premiums starting at 15,000 baht.
“The company aims to increase health insurance premiums to 50% this year from 40% last year.”
Cigna Insurance CEO says the company will use digital technology for product and service development to meet customers’ demands in the new normal lifestyle.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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Bangkok
Police to issue arrest warrants for 2 people allegedly involved in bombing outside Bangkok shopping centre
Police say arrest warrants will be issued for 2 people allegedly involved in the bombing outside Bangkok’s Chamchuri Square shopping centre following a rally protesting Thailand’s draconian lèse majesté law. The suspects allegedly drove together on a motorcycle on the Thai-Japanese Bridge and threw a “ping pong bomb” down on a group of police officers Saturday evening.
The smoky handmade explosive, which contained small nails, reportedly injured 4 people, including police officers and a reporter. Photos of the injuries are very small scratches. (See photos below.)
The explosion was sometime after a rally at Victory Monument where protesters demanded the release of 2 people who had been arrested on lèse majesté charges. Since November, 43 people have been arrested for insulting or defaming the Thai Monarchy which carries a punishment of up to 15 years in prison. Many have called for the Thai government to abolish the lèse majesté law, which is Section 112 in Thailand’s Criminal Code.
At the rally, protesters wrote messages on banners about the lèse majesté law. Some messages said “Thai education needs to be improved”, “Stop harassing people”, “A failed government, a divisive society” and “Covid-19 is an excuse”.
Protesters and police clashed on Saturday before the rally was broken up. Police said the public gathering violated the Emergency Decree and Disease Control Act.
Nation TV posted a video of the explosion. Click HERE to watch.
PHOTO: Tansettakij Multimedia
PHOTO: Tansettakij Multimedia
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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Patrick
Friday, December 11, 2020 at 10:49 am
The Thaiger? Its time to some real attention in English and especially Thai to the live and dying circumstances in the Thai meat industry. Its a cruel mess in a lot of places world wide sadly. Here they like clubbing and slicing pigs in groups to their death after a miserable life.
Next time skip the pork?
The Thaiger
Friday, December 11, 2020 at 10:57 am
As per our guidelines, please don’t include links in your comment. Cut and paste quotes if you want, but NO LINKS.
Toby Andrews
Friday, December 11, 2020 at 11:23 am
I have just seen it on TripAdvisor.
!8, reviews listed Terrible out of 30 reviews.
The only matter to catch a Thai’s attention is loss of money. Don’t go.
Plus the prices are B80 for a Thai – B200 for a foreigner.
The owners would be prosecuted for animal cruelty in the West.
Another example of the wonderful Thai that some on this forum believe, despite examples like this.
Glenn
Friday, December 11, 2020 at 12:04 pm
well, a mall zoo seems a bit cruel, maybe there are higher class zoos? Or if loudmouth know all Cher gets here way, they’ll just gather up the gorillas and monkeys and throw them back into the jungle… but after years and years of confinement just how well would these animals adapt to existing in a jungle? ‘couse Cher wouldn’t ever think about that aspect.
Sam Thompson
Friday, December 11, 2020 at 12:49 pm
You are making up your own example to argue bout and then provide a dumb solution with an equally improbable justification. Nowhere is there any mention of “releasing the animals into the wild” if fact the evidence is quite the opposite re: the elephant. People who actually care for, have experience of and expertise in caring for persecuted animals ensure the type of release that is the opposite of your invented fantasy and any animals that are released into the wild generally are prepared for this eventuality (by experts). Why would anybody be having a go at the lady for doing such a good and kind thing, putting her celebrity to good use.
Issan John
Friday, December 11, 2020 at 1:11 pm
I’m sure they’d be open to a cash offer …
Ceaser
Friday, December 11, 2020 at 8:47 pm
Let’s throw Glenn into the jungle maybe he’ll have some sense knocked into him.
Toby Andrews
Friday, December 11, 2020 at 3:55 pm
How much do you think they will want for the gorilla John?
Issan John
Friday, December 11, 2020 at 7:48 pm
No idea, but I’m sure someone worth several hundred million bucks could afford it if they wanted to.
I looked it up on TripAdvisor after you mentioned it, though.
Amazing that it still got a couple of 4* reviews despite the all too obvious issues, even for those reviewers, but having read all 30 reviews I couldn’t find the one where you said “the only matter to catch a Thai’s attention is loss of money”.
Do you have the reviewer’s name?
I’d hate to think you’d just made that up because Thailand wouldn’t extend your visa.
John
Friday, December 11, 2020 at 7:37 pm
Is Cher willing to replace the gorilla in the zoo?
john
Friday, December 11, 2020 at 7:54 pm
Is Cher still sleeping with 13 year old’s – allegedly??
albert zweistein
Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 1:18 am
No, they are 14 years old now.
I Care
Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 12:24 am
Cher is using her star power to bring attention to the plight and cruelty in the way some (many) humans treat aninsls. I support her efforts and ignore the bar stool critics that pass ignorant comments in the medium.