The Chang Yim (Smiling Elephants) is a new project initialed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) aimed at removing all elephants on Bangkok streets and get them back to their natural environment or back home.
Today, there are 200 elephants could now be found in the main streets of Bangkok, begging passers-by to buy bags of food from their mahouts to feed them. The elephants risk accident and illness by staying in Bangkok.
M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Bangkok Governor, recently announced a campaign to solve the Bangkok-street-roaming elephant issue within one year, through a complete plan that not only removes elephants from the streets but also improves the life quality of elephants and their mahouts.
The BMA is also encouraging donations from the public to assist in its mission to rescue elephants in need and to implement the Chang Yim project long term. Donations can be made via the Krung Thai Bank account NO. 0880-03418-1