Thailand's vibrant elephant tourism industry faces renewed scrutiny following the tragic death of 22-year-old Blanca Ojanguren García, who was gored by an elephant while bathing it. The incident has sparked debates over the treatment of elephants and the dangers posed to visitors.
Elephant Tourism Under Scrutiny: Mahout Charged After Tourist's Tragic Death
Elephant Tourism Under Scrutiny: Mahout Charged After Tourist's Tragic Death
A Spanish tourist's death raises alarm over safety practices in Thailand's elephant attractions.
Thai authorities have charged mahout Theerayut Inthaphudkij with negligence after the fatal incident involving Spanish tourist Blanca Ojanguren García at Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre. The young woman was bathing the 45-year-old elephant, Phang Somboon, when it gored her, resulting in critical injuries that led to her death in a hospital. This incident has ignited discussions regarding the safety and ethical implications of Thailand's thriving elephant tourism industry, which has faced criticism from animal rights activists.
Animal rights groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), have long condemned interactions such as bathing, which can stress elephants and disrupt their natural behaviors. These concerns were echoed by experts following García's tragic death, which her boyfriend witnessed. Nearly 3,000 elephants are estimated to be held in various attractions across Thailand, leading to increasing calls for reform in how elephants are treated in tourism contexts.
In the past, similar negligence charges have been filed against mahouts linked to injuries and fatalities involving tourists. In a case from 2017, a tour guide was killed by an elephant, leading to charges against the camp owner and mahout for recklessness. García was in Thailand as a student exchange participant, studying law and international relations at the University of Navarra in Spain, and had just arrived in the country days prior with her boyfriend.
Spain's foreign minister confirmed that assistance is being provided to García's family by the Spanish consulate in Bangkok. The future of Thailand's elephant tourism hangs in the balance as the fallout from this tragic incident continues to unfold.
