BANGKOK: The 50 top spending guests from Lebua Hotel in Bangkok were taken to visit Ban Tatit, a village in Surin province where the majority of residents can barely afford to feed themselves.
The event dubbed ‘emotional tourism’ caused an uproar with critics crying foul at the mega rich visiting destitute villagers during the day and then feasting on a gala dinner prepared by the world's best chefs at one million baht which equates to an estimated US$30,000 per head.
A Ban Tatit resident, whose income is less than US$300 dollars per month, shared his thoughts on a meal costing one million baht.
He said: “If the meal costs that much, then that's too expensive. Very expensive for one plate. I thought it was the overall cost of the dinner."
According to Lebua executives, the intent of the trip was to get these movers and shakers to think about helping those less fortunate and the message seemed to resonate.
Bhupesh Yadav, Chief Operating Officer of Shama, said: "Definitely what I am learning and taking back from here is that a lot needs to be done in terms of basic drinking water, education, protecting and caring for the species like the elephants.”
The village lacks a proper water filtration system and school children have no money for books, but whether or not good intentions will translate into concrete results remains to be seen.
Surin province is famous for its elephants but villagers are too poor to pay for their upkeep. So they take them into Bangkok, where tourists can be approached and they'll pay to feed and pet them.
One villager said: "I want tourists to come here because they can help with buying the elephants' food and providing wooden shelters which keep them protected from the sun and rain."
Since the controversy, many donors have pledged to help Ban Tatit village.
And though the visit may be food for thought, it will take a continuing effort which Lebua Hotel has promised to provide, to make a real difference in the people's lives.
Channel News Asia |
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