Rory Eliza, a popular Australian influencer with 6.9 million followers on TikTok, recently shared a tearful and heartfelt video in which she warns others about a “cruel” tourist activity she unknowingly participated in during her holiday in Thailand.
She Thought It Would Be a Cute Activity
In the emotional clip, which has garnered a staggering 7.8 million views, Eliza recounts her desire to hold a monkey while visiting Phuket and her subsequent quest to find a place that offered this experience.
The Show That Broke Her Heart
According to Eliza, one travel guide deliberately avoided her question, while another recommended a particular location. Following the suggestion, she reluctantly paid an entry fee and gained access to what was advertised as a “Monkey Show.”
Warning Others
As soon as the doors opened, she was met with a sight that left her utterly shocked and regretful. In her video, she passionately pleads with her audience, saying, “If you’re in Thailand, Phuket, don’t pay for this, don’t support this.”
She Wished She Had of Known
She expresses her wish to have known about the cruelty involved beforehand, emphasizing her remorse for having unknowingly contributed to it.
The Distressing Experience
Eliza describes her distressing experience of holding a baby monkey during the show, revealing the monkey’s evident fear and discomfort.
In the accompanying footage, a small monkey with a collar around its neck and a metal chain is seen being pulled by an unidentified man.
It Screamed in Distress
Eliza recounts how every time the man attempted to take the monkey away from her, the baby clung to her, screaming and hissing in distress.
The image of the chain being pulled around the defenseless animal’s neck only made the situation more heart-wrenching.
Warning Everyone Not to Make the Same Mistake
With tears in her eyes, Eliza passionately appeals to others not to support such exploitative activities. She regrets her lack of knowledge and expresses her refusal to contribute further to these animals’ mistreatment.
Refusing Additional Support
She recalls that as she was leaving, the organizers asked her for monetary support to care for the monkeys, to which she firmly responded, “Absolutely not. I don’t support anything you’re doing here.”
Sobbing and Shocked by What She’d Seen
Overwhelmed by her emotions, she left the venue in absolute tears, deeply affected by the distress she witnessed.
She Said She Had No Idea
Later, Eliza took to Instagram to share her video, accompanied by an extended caption in which she fervently called for an end to this “repulsive, disgusting” activity.
She Just Wanted to Hold a Cute Monkey
She admits that her initial intention was merely to hold a monkey, inspired by what she had seen on TikTok. She acknowledges her lack of awareness and understanding, having never been to Thailand before.
The Mixed Reviews From Viewers
While many people thanked Eliza for speaking out and raising awareness about the issue, others criticized her for not conducting thorough research before participating in the activity.
Reconsidering Plans
Some praised her for enlightening them about the cruelty involved, causing them to reconsider their own plans to engage in similar experiences.
Heartbreaking Revelation
“You have a heart of gold. I wish every human was like you. This video breaks me,” someone sympathetically wrote.
“The way he was pulling the chain and the baby was trying to stay with you was heartbreaking,” another added.
Questioning Her Judgement
A few individuals questioned her initial belief that paying to hold a wild animal was acceptable, highlighting the inherent abuse present in such interactions.
You’re Money Supports the Abuse
“Do people not understand that if you’re holding wild animals and paying for it the animals are being ABUSED,” one viewer countered.
“How did u not know backpackers have been speaking up on this for YEARS,” another said.
Urging Travelers to Be Diligent
Rory Eliza’s emotional revelation serves as a cautionary tale, urging travelers and tourists to be diligent and informed about the ethical implications of the activities they partake in while visiting foreign destinations. Imploring viewers to avoid activities that contribute to animal cruelty and exploitation.
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The post Tourist Trap: “Disgusting and Repulsive” Abuse of Animals in Thailand Funded by Travelers first appeared on Wealthy Living.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / BlueOrange Studio. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
Source: Tiktok