Mike Whitecreator of the series The White Lotuspaid attention to a cruel practice that takes place in Thailand: Forced use of pork tail macaques for the collection of coconut walnuts. After shooting the third season of the show on the island of Koh SamuiWhite learned from Peta Asia’s investigations that these animals they are kidnapped, chained and subjected to traumatic training to be used in plantations.
In a letter addressed to Thai Prime Minister FRITONGTARN SHINAWTRA, the director expressed his indignation, asking for the end of exploitation of the macaques and the adoption of more ethical collection methods. Koh Samui and the province of Surat Thani are among the places most affected by this practice, which is based on schools specialized in “tame” the macaques since puppies. These little primates they are torn from the mothers already three months of life or raised directly in captivity to be intended for forced work.
The images collected by Peta’s investigators show dramatic scenes: monks linked with very short ropes, forced to live in narrow spaces and without stimulioften with collars that cause skin lesions. Social isolation and the lack of interaction with their fellow men lead animals to develop serious behavioral disorders, such as compulsive movements and self -harm.
The government promotes training schools for macaques as a tourist attraction
Despite international protests, Thailand continues to allow the use of macaques for the collection of coconut walnuts, with some companies that promote “monkey-free” certifications considered not very reliable from animalist associations.
In fact, many plantations have obtained these certifications despite the tests demonstrate the opposite. The Thai government also, promotes training schools for macaques also as a tourist attractionorganizing demonstrations in which the animals, now submissive, are forced to perform in front of visitors.
For this reason it is necessary boycott coconut products from Thailand and prefer those of countries like India, Indonesia and Philippineswhere the collection takes place without the use of animals. Mike White’s appeal and the international visibility of The White Lotus They could contribute to increasing pressure on the Thai government to put an end to this form of animal exploitation, guaranteeing more ethical conditions for coconut production.
