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[whimsy]

One of the best T.I.T. news stories of the year. Even better than the CTX machine scandal.

l love the Prime Minister's comment at the end of the Nation article. Just when you might be expecting a dose of rationality from the CEO, he steps in with a classic. Not "No, bad idea, this will be bad for Thailand's image and eating endangered species is wrong". No, the only comment is that killing and eating the crocodiles would be uneconomic.

If I needed any more proof that Thai thinking is 'different' ................

[CTM]

whimsy, on 2005-11-18 19:00:31, said:

One of the best T.I.T. news stories of the year.  Even better than the CTX machine scandal.

l love the Prime Minister's comment at the end of the Nation article. Just when you might be expecting a dose of rationality from the CEO, he steps in with a classic. Not "No, bad idea, this will be bad for Thailand's image and eating endangered species is wrong".  No, the only comment is that killing and eating the crocodiles would be uneconomic.

If I needed any more proof that Thai thinking is 'different' ................ 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Tesco and Makro both sell crocodile and ostrich. Doesn't Toxin have an ownership stake in Tesco?

Makro also sells wild boar, frog legs, and more.

Ostrich is tasty. So is buffalo if you ever visit the US and quite healthy too.

[britmaveric]

The problem I see is the association with the bloody zoo...major PR blunder. It's fking hypocritical to visit a Zoo and look/appreciate the wild animals and then eat the type of animals that are in the zoo. Who ever came up with this brilliant idea needs to be fired.

If you want to open an exotic meat restaurant I suggest you don't have any affiliation with a Zoo. I think most agree this is where the problem lies.

Edited by britmaveric, 2005-11-18 19:54:34.

[Ricardo]

markg, on 2005-11-18 09:13:35, said:

Ricardo, on 2005-11-18 08:25:35, said:

Tom yum chang  -  NO THANKS ! 

Chiang Mai wants to promote itself as a place of culture & history, the tourists will hear about this sick idea and simply stop coming here, once they've stopped throwing-up 

If the poo-yais don't understand or share international-standards of morality, at least they should hire foreign marketing-experts, who would quickly put them right  -  and stop this nonsense.

I weep for Thailand  -  when I read a story like this. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Post like this make me weep.

I'll sell you a handkerchief for a good price

<snip> Flame removed. RDN

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry , but I am home, I live on Planet Earth (specifically Thailand - and love it) and I don't believe endangered-species should be on the menu, at a zoo or anywhere else. We 'civilised' people have laws against this sort of thing.

Leaving aside the vitriol - what point are you trying to make ?

Edited by RDN, 2005-11-18 22:27:44.

[rstrauss]

NguuMuu, on 2005-11-17 12:52:30, said:

I agree with much of the above that this is an incredibly stupid idea.  Serving up exotic animals at the zoo! This would have enough bad press if it was an establishment not related to the zoo at all.  Further proof I'll never understand Thailand...

Have you never gone on a hike in the northern mountain? Whenever my guide saw an animal he uttered: "Soup, BBQ, Gaeng..."

[Nignoy]

Ricardo, on 2005-11-18 20:26:37, said:

markg, on 2005-11-18 09:13:35, said:

Ricardo, on 2005-11-18 08:25:35, said:

Tom yum chang  -  NO THANKS ! 

Chiang Mai wants to promote itself as a place of culture & history, the tourists will hear about this sick idea and simply stop coming here, once they've stopped throwing-up  

If the poo-yais don't understand or share international-standards of morality, at least they should hire foreign marketing-experts, who would quickly put them right  -  and stop this nonsense.

I weep for Thailand  -  when I read a story like this.  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Post like this make me weep.

I'll sell you a handkerchief for a good price

<snip> Flame removed. RDN

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry , but I am home, I live on Planet Earth (specifically Thailand - and love it) and I don't believe endangered-species should be on the menu, at a zoo or anywhere else. We 'civilised' people have laws against this sort of thing.

Leaving aside the vitriol - what point are you trying to make ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Was in the world famous Australia zoo home of the crocodile hunter in Beerwah this morning, on the menu in one of the restaurants, Kangaroo, Crocodile, Alligator ,emu and ostrich, good ols fashioned Aussie Tucker Nignoy

[Jai Dee]

Actually, the crocodile satays they serve at the Sriratcha Tiger Zoo restaurant are aroi mak mak!!!

[stevesbigtrip]

Sorry everyone I told the WWF and they say they will be looking in on this amazing announcement. I heard you had to have a Uni degree in Thailand to have a good job or work in the goverment. I tried a test on my niece 15 in school in thailand and seriously could not find thailand on the atlas. I know 6 year olds who could show you that in the UK so does that mean all the educated in thailand people have the evivilent of a 11+ in the UK. I am scared and my wife has reservation about me taking her boys to europe to educate them

[george]

Update:
Plodprasop to review exotic meats on menu
Director steps back after harsh criticism

BANGKOK: -- Harsh public criticism has forced Plodprasop Suraswadi, the flamboyant project director of the Chiang Mai Night Safari Park, to step back from his proposal to put exotic wildlife meats on the menu at a restaurant in the park.

Mr Plodprasop, who is also assistant to the minister of natural resources and environment, yesterday promised to review the choice of exotic meats to be served following a study.

He said the decision would be based on whether diners were interested in eating the animals, whether or not the serving of some animal meats would tarnish the image of the night safari, and whether Thai society could accept the consumption of wild animal meats.

"I am open-minded and listening to all comments, particularly the constructive ones such as those made by some youths after watching zebra meat being served at one of the restaurants, but not the protest by some animal activists who did it for publicity," Mr Plodprasop said.

The idea of serving exotic dishes made from wild animal meats such as zebra, giraffe, crocodile and dog has attracted strong criticism from all sectors of society.

Mr Plodprasop defended the exotic menu as nothing unusual as the meats are served worldwide including in Kenya, which had a restaurant called the Carnival offering similar exotic dishes.

A group of animal lovers yesterday handed a petition to Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop to demand that the serving of the wildlife meat buffet be halted inside the park.

Siri Wangboonkerd, a former Thai Rak Thai MP and chairman of an animal conservation foundation, said offering wildlife meat would project a negative image of Thailand in terms of animal conservation, and particularly cruelty to dogs, which were considered man's most loyal pets.

He said serving dog meat inside the night safari park would imply that the government supported the idea of eating dogs despite its earlier crackdown on dog slaughterhouses in Sakon Nakhon's Tha Rae district.

"The offering of dog and other wild animal meats would also go against the idea of zoos, which aim at promoting wildlife conservation.

"It would also make young people look at these animals as food rather than as being creatures that deserve love and care,' Mr Siri said.

He warned that if the wild meat menu was still on offer inside the park by New Year's Day, his foundation and other animal lovers and groups would launch a nationwide campaign to urge the public not to visit the night safari park.

Nida Nikornpan, a member of Save Our Strays group and a Chiang Mai resident, said the exotic menu was a "humiliation to Chiang Mai people and the country as a whole".

"Don't we have enough pork, chicken and beef to eat? Why do you want to eat dogs? Chiang Mai will soon be known worldwide for eating dogs and wild animals instead of its culture and beautiful nature," she said.

--Bangkok Post 2005-11-19

[LukDod]

..."Update: Plodprasop to review exotic meats on menu Director steps back after harsh criticism..."

Though also quite controversial, they might get more public acceptance if the zoo's menu was offering some of our nefarious Thai politicians, rather then the animals, on their dining cuisine...

Home Sweet Home - Pattaya

[Dustoff]

tyznd, on 2005-11-17 18:52:02, said:

I'm beginning to think LOS stands for Land of Stupidity.  Reading crap like this makes it easier to understand some of the dumbass laws these morons pass. 

If you didn't have the poontang and low cost of living factors, there wouldn't be any other reason to live here.  The air is polluted, the food is unhealthy, the roads are dangerous and the people are untrustworthy. 

Forgetting the cliche "the grass is always greener" isn't there somewhere else in the world that is affordable, healthier and with more sensible locals to deal with?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

To each his own. In the five years I have been here, so far the most objectionable thing/person I have encountered is you and your attitude. For the good of all of us who choose to live here, I hope you find your "somewhere else".

And, going with this thread, what a GIGGLE! The reactions of people (omnivores) to this menu is FAR more interesting than what is being served. Too funny...

[meemiathai]

If eating meat is ok, I don't even find eating human inappropriate then.

I really don't know the answer. What meat can be eaten and what cannot.
My idea is, reduce any sufferings to its lowest. At least don't let them know that you are going to eat them. Treat them nicely and let them enjoy their moments when they are alive. Nothing lasts forever.

It is very sad to see animals being treated with cruelty, especially because they are not capable of understanding why. Human victims at least have a understanding of what's going on.

[george]

Chiang Mai Night Safari reconsiders wild animal menu

BANGKOK: -- A plan to serve 'exotic' cuisine made from wild animal meat at the not yet opened-Night Safari Park in Thailand's northern resort province of Chiang Mai is being reconsidered after it has met opposition from wildlife protection groups.

The idea to serve wild animal dishes to visitors at the park's restaurants was floated on Thursday by Plodprasop Suraswadi, Vice Minister for the Prime Minister's Office and Director of the Management Office of the Night Safari Park Project.

Realizing that the plan, if implemented, would tarnish the country's image and draw international condemnation, Siri Wangboonkerd, president of the Animal Protection Club and vice president of Thai Society for the Prvention of Cruelty to Animals, on Friday submitted a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop asking the government to stop the plan.

Upon learning of the opposition, Mr. Plodprasop said several countries, including Kenya, had offered wild animal meat for sale, but he is ready to listen to any opposition.

But a call by members of the House of Representatives for people not to visit the country's first Night Safari Park is not justifiable, said Mr. Plodprasop, adding that the objective of the park is to conserve and display rare and wild animals to the public.

The plan to offer exotic wild animal meat is still under a feasibility study and the animal meat will come from farms, not from animals that are smuggled into the country, he added.

--TNA 2005-11-19

[odowdchr]

This story made the British tabloids yesterday, it's just the kind of thing they like to 'get their teeth into'.
Some of you'll be interested to know that the story was illustrated with a big splash photo of PM Thaksin cradling a cuddly little cub......

[Cowboyshoe]

Ah! A brilliant business strategy - not to promote the zoo, but to keep expats in the internet cafes all night long blathering with righteous indignation.

I really don't see the problem. It's legal, right? Sure it's disgusting and offensive to most, but hel_l so are most things you read in the paper.

As for those who cry and moan at the thought of a 'noble' institution like a zoo doing such a horrible thing they need to make a reality check. Maybe if someone shot you full of tranquilizers and you woke up in a room the size of a walk in closet, where you were expected to spend the remainder of your life you'd eventually develop a preference for being served up for lunch instead!

[Cool Water Palace]

odowdchr, on 2005-11-19 08:54:15, said:

This story made the British tabloids yesterday, it's just the kind of thing they like to 'get their teeth into'. 
Some of you'll be interested to know that the story was illustrated with a big splash photo of PM Thaksin cradling a cuddly little cub......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And the Guardian today (correction yesterday - Thai time):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/kenya/story/0,12...1646194,00.html

[jomama]

I see Sunday morning that the Nation is reporting that the back-tracking has begun. The genius who made the announcement said he is "reviewing" the decision.

It was also noted that one of the restaurants at the Night Safari will be "six star." How grandose can these guys get?

Actually, the wife had to drop something off at the Night Safari yesterday (related to the shipping business). Average people are not allowed in yet -- there were lots of cars from BKK that were being turned away. Because she had an appointment, she was allowed in. Saw one African elephant and that's all.

[jomama]

Sorry about the multiple posts, but I forgot to tell you...

That when my wife was at the Night Safari, I calleed her on her cellphone to ask if they had take-away. I was thinking of an elephant trunk...we could slice it thin and bread it and deep-fried -- a la calamari.

She hung up the phone and switched it off and didn't turn it back on until she was almost back home. Said she was in a business meeting and could listen to that "crazy crap." She does talk that way because she learned how to swear from me.

But apparently they do not do take-out, or at least not yet.

[joe beets]

jomama, on 2005-11-20 07:18:47, said:

I see Sunday morning that the Nation is reporting that the back-tracking has begun. The genius who made the announcement said he is "reviewing" the decision.

It was also noted that one of the restaurants at the Night Safari will be "six star."  How grandose can these guys get?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why not seven?

- or -

Nigel Tufnel said:

Mine goes to eleven.

jb

[Johpa]

rstrauss, on 2005-11-19 04:27:19, said:

Have you never gone on a hike in the northern mountain? Whenever my guide saw an animal he uttered: "Soup, BBQ, Gaeng..."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can attest that there are folks up in the hills that make a tasty pangolin dish. But I can also attest that there aren't many animals left up in the hills apart from small birds and reptiles. The forests of Chiang Mai, at least those remaining, are rather devoid of wild life. My father-innlaw's generation was the last generation up in the hills that remembers hunting deer and other larger mammals.

[Jai Dee]

WILD ANIMALS WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN A MENU AT CHAING MAI'S NIGHT SAFARI

Assistant to Environment and Natural Resource Minister PLODPRASOB SURASSAWADI (ปลอดประสพ สุรัสวดี) has assured the public that wild animals will not be included in the menu at Night Safari Park in Chiang Mai Province.

Mr. PLODPRASOB said that the CHIANG MAI Night Safari is a good project set up to study and conserve natural resources and wild animals as well as support ecotourism in Thailand. He admitted that there may be some flaws in the operations at the zoo. However, he indicated it will take another month to complete the project.

As for the menu at the Safari, Mr. PLOBPRASOB said that the wild animals featured in shows at the zoo will not become dishes at the safari. The report came out because of confusion and lack of understanding in the zoo’s principles. He said that only crocodile and ostrich meats, which are widely traded in food market in Thailand, will be served at the zoo. Mr. PLODPRASOB said that Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from abroad should look back at their own countries’ behaviours in conserving wild animals, before criticizing Thailand.

He said further that the zoo was a success as 4,000 visitors visit the zoo every night.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 November 2005

[NguuMuu]

Jai Dee, on 2005-11-22 09:13:54, said:

Mr. PLODPRASOB said that Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from abroad should look back at their own countries’ behaviours in conserving wild animals, before criticizing Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Now that they realize what a stupid idea it is it's time to pass the blame and spotlight.

[JRinger]

Mr. PLODPRASOB said that the CHIANG MAI Night Safari is a good project set up to study and conserve natural resources and wild animals as well as support ecotourism in Thailand.

it's all about the baht. Any educational programs in the Thai schools to teach students about conservation of wild animals? Birds & most other wild animals are all but extinct. (i.e., eaten)

[RDN]

What a pathetic, amateurish response...

Jai Dee, on 2005-11-22 09:13:54, said:

.....there may be some flaws in the operations at the zoo. However, he indicated it will take another month to complete the project...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is it a zoo or a project?

Jai Dee, on 2005-11-22 09:13:54, said:

...confusion and lack of understanding in the zoo’s principles.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Confusion on whose part? The guy serving the dishes?

Jai Dee, on 2005-11-22 09:13:54, said:

... (NGOs) from abroad should look back at their own countries’ behaviours in conserving wild animals, before criticizing Thailand...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Na-na-nana-na!

Jai Dee, on 2005-11-22 09:13:54, said:

He said further that the zoo was a success as 4,000 visitors visit the zoo every night.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So there! We are a success so we don't care, we're not doing anything wrong and I won't lose my job.

[Ricardo]

Jai Dee, on 2005-11-22 09:13:54, said:

However, he indicated it will take another month to complete the project.

So it's not yet open, then 

He said further that the zoo was a success as 4,000 visitors visit the zoo every night. 

every night, even though it's not yet open, right.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But at least the message has now got through about 'eating the view'.