Bring The Elephant Home

Book launch successful

On March 23 our book ‘The Great Elephant Escape’ was officially presented in the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT). Perhaps for the first time in history, there was a queue at the entrance of the FCCT. With almost 100 participants – journalists, NGO’s, animal doctors, governmental organisations, schools, travel organisations and friends – we had a full room.

Before the official part started, Antoinette was interviewed by Channel 11 / NBT, ASTV and TAN Media. Two weeks ago, Channel 11 already made a documentary about the elephant island and animal friendly tourism. So we have on good terms with Channel 11.

The meeting was opened by Member of Parliament Khun Kraisak Choonhavan with a fierce speech about the fate of the Thai elephant and a plea for better protection. Elephants do not belong on the streets or in a show. They belong in the forest. He thanked Bring the Elephant Home for all the necessary support we are giving Thailand. We make this problem an international issue and have a very concrete approach. And that’s exactly what Thailand needs.

Lek (Elephant Nature Park) was interviewed by Denis of the Green Networking Days. Lek told the audience every detail about what happens behind the scenes of an elephant show. Everybody was impressed by Lek’s words, and many want to visit the Elephant Nature Park. A couple of days after the event, Khun Kraisak was seen on Thai TV, pleading for legal protection to combat maltreatment of domesticated elephants.

After the presentation of ‘The Great Elephant Escape’ and our current work, there was an open discussion. Soon enough there was a line of people in front of the microphone. Because there were so many NGO’s, journalists and governmental organisations, we got a lot of indepth questions. A good discussion developed, which continued until after the official part. Very successful!

While the band started playing, the book was being sold and many conversations were held with the writing press, filmmakers and potential sponsors.

After the presentation, Chiang Mai Mail wrote a review on ‘The Great Elephant Escape’ and In Search for Sanuk wrote an article on the book presentation.

Special thanks to:
Khun Dutsadee Nilubol (organisation book presentation)
Khun Patcharawadee Thongkhamkhun (stand and decoration)
Khun Sangduen ‘Lek’ Chailert (presentation and discussion)
Khun Kraisak Choonhavan (opening speech)
Denis Ethier (presenter)
Khun Kas (photographer)
all members of the Philippine band
and co-writer Liesbeth Sluiter and translators Joy Carolus en Janette Symons!