Came across this story in Thairath today which was doing the rounds on Thai social media. A Thai mahout was filmed beating his elephant in Hat Yai with a metal goad.
Apparently he has several elephants which he uses to make a living by selling sugar cane for tourists to feed the animals.
At nighttime when he returns them to the camp, he regularly beats them for 'fun'.
http://www.thairath..../content/445987
Clip: https://www.facebook...799072813471462 27/08/14