A concerted effort to tighten borders and stifle illegal wildlife trafficking is underway in Thailand, led by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The department is collaborating with multiple state agencies responsible for border control to clamp down on wildlife smuggling gangs. This action is part of the country’s observance of National Wildlife Protection Day.

 

Narongrit Sookprakan, who oversees the department’s wildlife border section, shared that their partners in this mission include the Royal Thai Police, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Fisheries, and the Department of Livestock Development. These agencies collectively oversee the protection of flora and plants, marine life, and the import and export of animals.

 

“We have joined forces to help prevent and suppress any wildlife smuggling along the border in Chiang Rai, Nong Khai, Songkhla and Trat provinces,” Narongrit revealed.

 

Narongrit further discussed the initiative during a seminar titled “Integrated Cooperation on Wildlife Crime Suppression” held at the Khao Pathab Chang wildlife rescue centre in Ratchaburi’s Chom Bung district.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-12-26

 

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Wildlife trafficking is a very lucrative business, with very low penalties. Lots of people high up in the food chain make good money that way. They are never going to get caught, and not a lot is going to change, except for the token ‘crackdown’ every now and then, where a few minor smugglers will get arrested and some animals seized.