A growing human population has called for increasing economic and social development in Thailand, creating numerous environmental problems. With no ill intention, man has put the continued survival of wildlife underthreat. One of the animals which has been greatly effected by this threat is the elephant, not only the world's largest land mammal but one which has played a large part in man's history throughout Asia. A hundred years ago there were as many as 100,000 elephants in Thailand but a decline in population has taken place at a shocking rate, leaving only about 5,000 elephants whose futures are in doubt. Until now there has been no organisation devoted exclusively to helping elephants integrate into modern Thai life by promoting awareness and solicting assistance from people throughout the country.

          From its founding in 1990 to the present, the Asian Elephant Foundation of Thailand has been compiling data on elephants in order to give direction to solving problems by creation the following projects : registering elephants in general database and creation an adopt-an-elephant programme. Through this programme, the Asian Elephant Foundation co-ordinates the health care of 145 elephants. Despite such efforts, however, there are thousands more elephants who aren't receiving attention. Furthermore, the welfare from this fund only addresses the problems of health care. As for proper nutrition, accident prevention, employment (like humans, tame elephants need to be productively occupied for good mental health) and encroachment of habitat (in the case of wild elephants), such problems remain to be addressed.

           The Asian Elephant Foundation of Thailand, therefore, will be working on many projects to help integrate elephants into modern Thai life, fulfilling the directives of the organisation, whether it is through supporting an elephant shelter, an elephant employment agency, a division for capturing will elephants in mating season (when they can be dangerous), a division for mobile veterinarians or more. In addition there is the continued administration of the foundation which the workers and funds. Indeed, Thai elephants will not be out of danger until people recognise the need to help them co-exist with humans. Therefore the Asian Elephant Foundation of Thailand would like to invite everyone to contribute to this work before elephants become extinct in Thailand. Anyone can help whether it is by informing us about elephants in trouble or by boycotting trades which endanger elephants. Contributions may be made in the form of money, equipment of time. If concerned, please contact