CityNews – On 5th September A4 leaflets were posted around Chiang Mai University and Chiang Mai Zoo saying “Say no to transferring Chiang Mai Zoo to Pinkanakorn Development Agency” and informing of the “Invitation to Chiang Mai people to discuss transferring Chiang Mai Zoo”.
The posters said that Chiang Mai Zoo was built for people’s leisure and as a kids’ learning centre for more than 40 years, and that the takeover would change this. The protesters have said that the transfer will make the zoo more of a business, rather than a public amenity, and a place that educates and fascinates the public. They fear that the business model could destroy the values of the zoo and endanger the animals.
Experts have already said that the transfer of the zoo may lead to its commercialisation, with care of the animals becoming less important. It’s believed the agency, that has already expressed that it will boost tourism at the zoo, will bring in more animals, which will require more upkeep and more skills that the zoo may not be able to cope with.
Staff at Chiang Mai Zoo called for Vice Prime Minister Prasop Surassawadee’s to rethink transferring Chiang Mai Zoo from The Zoological Park Organization under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King to the Pinkanakorn Development Agency.
The Pinkanakorn Development Agency (Public Company) was established in February 2013. Under the supervision of the Prime Minister the agency aims to promote tourism in Chiang Mai city and the rest of the province, and to help improve the quality of life of the people in these areas.
Chiang Mai Zoo staff has also created a Facebook page against the changes.
The Thai Zoo Cabinet have accepted the complaints and promised to talk about the matter in a board meeting on 15th September.
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