Pattaya Dolphin World

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nathaninsandiego/5370996627/

Pattaya Dolphin World

It was news to me but Pattaya is going to have their own dolphin world. I heard this tonight on Pattaya local radio. Okay it claims to be a first for Pattaya but it isn't unless you really stretch a point because there are dolphins kept in a muddy hole at the Temple of Truth at the other side of Naklua (which really is part of Pattaya). These dolphins do shows daily.

Okay dolphins do play a bit of a part in Pattaya culture. Everyone who lives here knows the Dolphin roundabout. Dolphins also figure in some of the artwork along the Coconut Bar too.....but but but is this exhibit going to be any better than the commercially exploitative shows in the likes of Bangkok Safari World and Oasis Sea World?

I am not against the keeping of dolphins in captivity but I am against commercial exploitation, no conservation, inadequate facilities and failure to properly educate people about these wonderful creatures. What we do not need is yet another dysfunctional zoo in Thailand and especially around Pattaya. Far too many already.

It remains to be seen how this new venture will measure up. It surprises me that I did not learn about it before now. I was very much aware of a similar venture planned for Phuket in the south of Thailand because of the protests surrounding it, Here in Pattaya...not a whisper.

Here is the news item:

"A team from Pattaya People Media Group led by CEO Mr. Niels Colov together with Nova Radio 87.5 FM was invited to attend the official opening of the new Pattaya Dolphin World and Resort on Friday afternoon. Located near Phoenix Golf Club in Huay Yai, and still under construction, this amazing sea world style resort promises to become one of the top tourist attractions in the area. Guests were welcomed by the Board Director, Police Lt. Col. Natapong Wattanasukon and given a sightseeing tour of the shows already completed – one attraction appropriate for Pattaya is the exciting Dolphin Show, the first Dolphinarium in Pattaya. Many years ago, Dolphins were often seen swimming in abundance in the sea around Pattaya Bay and hence became the symbol representing the growing seaside city.
The Dolphin World premises will be completed in December, 2011 with attractions including adventure zones for all ages, with rock climbing, shooting galleries, go cart racing and bungee jumping. News stories placed on this website are short versions. If you would like the full story, please read the Pattaya People Weekly newspaper" LINK

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SEAZA Annual Conference 2011

SEAZA

19th SEAZA Annual Conference 2011

Monday 12 to Wednesday 14, September 2011

Reintroduced Endangered Species in SEAZA

SEAZA Conference details below:-


Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of Thailand's Zoological Park Organization (ZPO) Under H.M. the King, we are proud to announce that the 19th SEAZA Annual Conference 2011 will be held in Pattaya, Thailand from Monday 12 to Wednesday 14, September 2011.

Although the SEAZA board meeting had previously set a tentative dates of August 22-24 for the conference, but Ramadan this year is during the month of August. So after careful consideration and to best encourage participation from members, we have decided to postpone the conference to September 12-14, 2011.

The theme for this years conference will be "Reintroduced Endangered Species in SEAZA". Submissions of oral and poster presentations can be made according to the attached guidelines. Full details of registration, accomodations and detailed schedules will follow shortly. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
We dearly hope that you and your organization will be able to participate this year to improve our zoos and further the goals of SEAZA. See you soon in Pattaya.

Kindest regards,

The Organizing Committee of the 19th SEAZA Annual Conference

For further info go to the website: http://www.zoothailand.org/seaza2011/

**************

SEAZA members visiting Pattaya for the first time might like to check out:

THE PATTAYA BUCKET LIST

Staying Longer in Thailand?

See

ZOOS IN THAILAND

Note: I am delighted to finally have the details for the SEAZA conference. This year taking place in my 'adopted home' town too. It was previously going to take place here a few years back and I was going to attend. Sadly, political problems forced cancellation. I am in Pattaya right now and it is just possible I may be in the area for the conference as well, not that this is a big deal because I could afford the registration fee anyway. If I am about I will be happy to show people (who have leisure time to spare) around. Even if I am not in the area I could probably still arrange for someone to escort you. Have fun. Peter

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Elephants in Thailand

Probably unique in the worlds newspapers is 'The Bangkok Post'. I say this because scarcely a week passes without a mention of elephants and more usually they get press two or three times.

Thai people like elephants (though Dao is terrified of them) and tourists see them as a 'must see'. In and around Pattaya (my present base) there are at least five, and probably more (I have visited five without actually going to an 'elephant camp'), places exhibiting elephants. Exhibiting or using? Both really.

What to do with all the elephants? Every place I have been they are breeding. Pattaya is only one part of Thailand. Phuket and Chiang Mai both have as many, or more elephants than Pattaya.

Here too we have our unofficial elephants. Dao's bar is visited practically every night by one. Assisted by two or more mahouts people are encouraged to purchase small bags of sugar cane to feed to the animal for luck. On Khung's birthday she crawled underneath the animal three time for extra luck.
Twice the elephant has been ambushed by the police outside our bar. I was surprised at what a turn of speed the animal had as it sped off into the darkness. On one occasion the police arrested all the mahouts. The elephant returned later alone and was having a jolly time rooting through dustbins for something more tasty than sugar cane.

Smaller, very small elephants work the 'box bars' where bigger elephants can not tread. A couple of weeks ago I was knocked arse over tip by an elephant I never saw nor heard coming. Admittedly I was distracted. At the time I was trying to examine a cat I had found. The cat was wearing a coat (peculiar). Whop! Still, no harm done.

How many elephants work the streets of Pattaya is a mystery to me. It is a big city. Maybe a dozen. Where do they go in the day? If the country can hide thousands of singly held crocodiles then a few elephants are not going to present too much of a problem. There is a problem though and this is outlined in yesterdays Bangkok Post:

EDITORIAL Plight of the jumbos
The various projects to help the elephants of Bangkok have finally begun to take shape. Thanks to public donations, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has been able to purchase a 30-year-old, partially blind animal. Instead of begging for food in the dangerous capital city, Pang Bua Kham will get a home at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang. The rescue of this elephant is a heart-warming story, and a project that deserved ........................

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