Thailand is one of the world’s biggest countries, bordering many countries including Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and India. It’s a beautiful country with a stunning coastline, and the capital city of Bangkok is a popular tourist attraction. However the massive urban growth combined with little thought to proper urban planning means traffic congestion is high, and the city also suffers from bad air pollution.
Despite its many beautiful animals and endangered species, Thailand does not rank well on the Environmental Performance Index. Poaching for ivory, meat and hides has led many species to be at risk (elephant populations have fallen from 100,000 in 1850 to around 2000 with many mistreated for the tourist trade). Other animals poached include leopards and critically endangered tigers. A bit like China, some markets even sell live endangered species, with no regards to welfare.
