Should you have breakfast with elephants in Thailand?

[@bdud383]

Considering the alternative... I think this sanctuary is doing the best they can with what they have to work with. Because of the loss of habitat, I think this is the best we can hope for. Be happy! ;O)

[@timfromnongkhai9702]

Thank you for your thoughtful and reflective video and for your …. courage.

[@rickwoolcock5422]

So glad you didn't scrap this vid. Don't ever be afraid to put thoughts out there. Everything's controversial in one way or another. It's no good just wishing for a past time when there was limitless opportunity for wildlife to live in a more 'natural' environment. The world is constantly changing. We can roll with it, but the natural world can get left behind. This is the kind of issue that the rest of us need to know about since most of us don't have a clue. These foundations are doing a great job in difficult circumstances. KZbin channels are a great opportunity. It doesn't matter about being opinionated. Just get it out there. 😊

[@StephandPete]

Thanks, Rick!!! Always appreciate your comments and perspective. It's fun to connect with you through these videos. :)

[@sittichaitipsom8955]

Thanks video happy days and good luck with your time and Thailand beautiful elephant.🙏🙏🙏🎉🎉🎉♥️♥️🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🇹🇭🇹🇭

[@thecommonadventure]

I totally get your mixed feelings! I love to focus on the fact that these elephants are rescues and are living a far better life than if they had remained doing what they were prior.

[@sfb1964]

For what it's worth, honest videos where you are open about your uncertainty about the whole thing should be accepted as such. I respect your candidness about it, and since I know little about it, I have no idea how I'd feel. Fair play to you all. My main takeaway will be the line "when the chickens roar" - I can sure relate to that!

[@StephandPete]

We appreciate that! It's hard to talk about something you don't have super solid opinions on/know everything about. But we travel to learn and understand and for us, this was part of that.

[@JustLoveExperience]

We love your honesty and reflections in this video. Thank you for sharing your perspective.

[@ErikBlair]

The topic is worth the discussion and to hear your thoughts on it. It is very complex and there are plenty of people out there that will find something wrong with just about anything. Thank you for the video and your thoughtful opinions as well.

[@StephandPete]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@adamandlinds]

Wow, Steph’s, at times, rambling actually captured many of the same thoughts we had while visiting. Thanks for trying to vocalize the internal struggle of elephants in Thailand. It’s a hard one to decide what is actually right. I’m pretty skeptical anytime I see baby elephants but also extremely jealous you got to see a baby elephant! Good job capturing your thoughts. We can all go down in flames together in another 10 years when they cancel all elephant interactions!

[@StephandPete]

Haha, I rambled so much that you were sure to relate to at least part of it. 😉

[@murphysonthego]

Loved your insight. We grappled with many of the same thoughts when we visited an elephant sanctuary.

[@StephandPete]

Really appreciate you commenting and sharing that! It's tricky. And honestly, I wish there were more topics like this that we gave this much thought to. Going back and forth on this made me realize how many things associated with travel/people/places we might *not* think that deeply about.

[@golfinspectorgeneral]

It is our responsibility to care for the animals that have been taken from their natural habitat due to construction, deforestation, abusive working conditions etc. To change traditionally abusive tourism, you have to change the way you interact with animals. This to me seems like the perfect streamline into more responsible ways to change that and connect to an animal beautifully. Good video!

[@StephandPete]

Maybe! But I think you highlighted something very true in that (like most things in tourism/travel), it's changing very quickly. So it feels like we're again part of something that's shifting and changing, and hopefully for the better, like you said. Thanks for watching.

[@mayamajumder6666]

Visit India once more guys. This time visit Goa , Andaman and Nicobar Island and Lakshadweep Island for experiencing white sandy Beaches and India's coral reefs. And please visit Eastern India in Darjeeling hill station, Gangtok, Guwahati and Cherapunji. And Please visit Rishikesh, Lakshmanjhola, Shimla, Mussoorie and Kashmir in North India . And please visit Gurugram and AeroCity in Delhi. Please please please avoid old cities like Varanasi , Agra and old Delhi. Looking forward to see your videos on India soon.

[@StephandPete]

We’ll be back, don’t worry.

[@rae5792]

About 16 years ago I spent a night at an elephant 'sanctuary' (in Chiang Mai). I would say it's the the only part of my travels around SE Asia that I regret. It was explained to us that it was an ethical and responsible place with rescued elephants. We rode the elephants, we rode them into a river where they collected water in their trunks and poured it over us. The elephant i was on wouldn't, which was totally fine, but its handler would hit the elephant so it would pour water. They also all had a chain around a leg. So yeah, i was young and stupid and wish i hadn't visited the place...

[@WisutJindapahn]

I'm agree that 16 years ago, you were stupid. But westerners hurt them down as a trophy for ?

[@WisutJindapahn]

Yes I'm agree that 16 years ago you were stupid… but westerners hunt them down as a trophy for ?

[@heekyungkim8147]

Hi. Guys. We are near. I am in Pai .. are you guys heading to pai ?

[@StephandPete]

Not this time but high on our list!

[@WisutJindapahn]

thanks for sharing, but don't be a narrow mind. Or to be hunted down and used as decorations ? Save them all.

[@topgammar3763]

I have to say.. I see some hypocrisy in my view.