Report Thailand Weighs Benefits of De-listing Red-Whiskered Bulbul

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand is considering removing the red-whiskered bulbul, known locally as nok krong hua juk, from its list of protected wildlife. The move, championed by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on, aims to balance conservation efforts with economic benefits.

 

A working group from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is set to study the bird’s population dynamics, tackle illegal hunting, and prevent captive birds from returning to the wild. This group will assess potential impacts over the next three months before providing recommendations.

 

The rationale behind this proposal is to encourage regulated breeding and responsible ownership of this popular bird. Minister Chalermchai believes such measures can prevent extinction while stimulating a budding bird-related economy.

 

Addressing concerns over increased poaching following de-listing, Chalermchai assured that officials would distinguish between birds bred in captivity and those taken from the wild. He stressed that a blanket ban might drive people to capture wild birds secretly. Instead, he advocates engaging bird enthusiasts in conservation efforts to create a more sustainable solution.

 

“If we find any breaches in compliance, we will not hesitate to restore the bird’s protected status,” he said.

 

DNP Director-General Atthapol Charoenchansa noted that the working group would carry out surveys on wild populations, offering strategies to mitigate poaching and accidental releases. Their findings are expected to be reviewed by the Wildlife Conservation Committee and eventually presented to the cabinet for approval.

 

The red-whiskered bulbul trade is estimated to be worth over THB 1 billion. With effective regulation, the proposal suggests Thailand could maintain distinct lines between wild and captive birds, thus reaping both conservation and economic rewards.

 

This plan highlights the ongoing debate over wildlife management, balancing ecological responsibility with commercial interests. As the nation waits for a final decision, stakeholders continue to deliberate on the best path forward.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-24

 

 

[phetphet]

Red Bulbul gives you wings.

[billd766]

The only advantage to delisting the birds is the greed of the people that catch and cage them for sale. 

 

All birds are welcome in my garden where they are free to come and go as they please.

 

All except pigeons which are vermin and nothing more than rats with wings. They have invaded my MIL old house and I cannot get rid of them.

[Pouatchee]

just leave them alone and keep them protected so they stay off thais' dinner plates

[kimamey]

24 minutes ago, billd766 said:

The only advantage to delisting the birds is the greed of the people that catch and cage them for sale. 

 

All birds are welcome in my garden where they are free to come and go as they please.

 

All except pigeons which are vermin and nothing more than rats with wings. They have invaded my MIL old house and I cannot get rid of them.

We get a lot of pigeons because they eat what the dogs leave. They can carry disease but I'm not sure how much of a danger they pose. Like rats they are found all over the world and are great survivors and we don't seem to be dying off yet.

We also get at least one cat as well.  There's sometimes also another bird but I can't remember the name.

[flaming dragon]

5 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The rationale behind this proposal is to encourage regulated breeding and responsible ownership of this popular bird.

 

Long ago I had a Thai gf who told me a story about her village. One day a flock of tiny birds showed up in the village. Her nephew shot a few and made khra pao (spelling?) with them and it was delicious.  Soon everybody did the same, with a predictable outcome.  Like she said "then, one day no more bird" with a nonchalant attitude. Nothing was learned, no sense of self restraint or lofty ideas about conservation.  The people had plenty of food to eat, so it wasn't driven by hunger. 

Keep the birds on the list. 

[BKKBike09]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The red-whiskered bulbul trade is estimated to be worth over THB 1 billion.

 

I'm calling bulbul$h1t on this figure!

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, billd766 said:

The only advantage to delisting the birds is the greed of the people that catch and cage them for sale. 

 

All birds are welcome in my garden where they are free to come and go as they please.

 

All except pigeons which are vermin and nothing more than rats with wings. They have invaded my MIL old house and I cannot get rid of them.

Fly a kite above the house with an eagle picture on it ....

or invest in a cheap drone..

[GreasyFingers]

14 hours ago, billd766 said:

The only advantage to delisting the birds is the greed of the people that catch and cage them for sale. 

 

All birds are welcome in my garden where they are free to come and go as they please.

 

All except pigeons which are vermin and nothing more than rats with wings. They have invaded my MIL old house and I cannot get rid of them.

We feed our local ones with bananas. They can be fussy though and prefer the old style Thai banana to the hom.

 

As for the pigeons look for a topic by @Crossy who solved his problem with a green laser light. Use it successfully here too.

[Crossy]

10 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

We feed our local ones with bananas. They can be fussy though and prefer the old style Thai banana to the hom.

 

As for the pigeons look for a topic by @Crossy who solved his problem with a green laser light. Use it successfully here too.

 

Yer 'tis

 

[GreasyFingers]

19 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Yer 'tis

Well done. It also works on myna birds but not so effective on starlings. And I only purchased a cheap 200 baht model.

[khunpeer]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand is considering removing the red-whiskered bulbul, known locally as nok krong hua juk, from its list of protected wildlife. The move, championed by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on, aims to balance conservation efforts with economic benefits.

 

A working group from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is set to study the bird’s population dynamics, tackle illegal hunting, and prevent captive birds from returning to the wild. This group will assess potential impacts over the next three months before providing recommendations.

 

The rationale behind this proposal is to encourage regulated breeding and responsible ownership of this popular bird. Minister Chalermchai believes such measures can prevent extinction while stimulating a budding bird-related economy.

 

Addressing concerns over increased poaching following de-listing, Chalermchai assured that officials would distinguish between birds bred in captivity and those taken from the wild. He stressed that a blanket ban might drive people to capture wild birds secretly. Instead, he advocates engaging bird enthusiasts in conservation efforts to create a more sustainable solution.

 

“If we find any breaches in compliance, we will not hesitate to restore the bird’s protected status,” he said.

 

DNP Director-General Atthapol Charoenchansa noted that the working group would carry out surveys on wild populations, offering strategies to mitigate poaching and accidental releases. Their findings are expected to be reviewed by the Wildlife Conservation Committee and eventually presented to the cabinet for approval.

 

The red-whiskered bulbul trade is estimated to be worth over THB 1 billion. With effective regulation, the proposal suggests Thailand could maintain distinct lines between wild and captive birds, thus reaping both conservation and economic rewards.

 

This plan highlights the ongoing debate over wildlife management, balancing ecological responsibility with commercial interests. As the nation waits for a final decision, stakeholders continue to deliberate on the best path forward.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-24

 

 

why would they delist it? this bird is doing just fine in nature... here outside ChiangMai they fly all around!

who would want to change that? 🤨

[Thingamabob]

Idiotic and cruel in the land of smiles. First monitor lizards, and now the red whiskered bulbul, will now be hunted and caged, and in the case of the monotor lizards, then skinned alive. Such kind people us humans.

[billd766]

4 hours ago, Crossy said:

 

Yer 'tis

 

I just found the thread (literally) about the green lasers (from October 2024) and I am now following it.

 

I wonder if it will work on the black cat that lives somewhere else, but pops up sometimes and always wants to fight my cat?

[Crossy]

19 minutes ago, billd766 said:

I just found the thread (literally) about the green lasers (from October 2024) and I am now following it.

 

I wonder if it will work on the black cat that lives somewhere else, but pops up sometimes and always wants to fight my cat?

 

Some years back a mate in the UK had a problem with a cat s**tting in his garden.

 

Another mate suggested a laser pointer.

 

One was obtained (a legal, low powered red one).

 

Of course the moggie in question wasn't available for testing, but there was a different cat relaxing on the windowsill across the road.

 

I think we can see where this is going

 

Careful aim was taken.

 

The weapon was energised!

 

The cat literally went straight up like a Harrier jump-jet and wasn't seen for several days!

 

I think from this experiment we can conclude that laser pointers are indeed effective against errant pussies.

 

[billd766]

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

 

Some years back a mate in the UK had a problem with a cat s**tting in his garden.

 

Another mate suggested a laser pointer.

 

One was obtained (a legal, low powered red one).

 

Of course the moggie in question wasn't available for testing, but there was a different cat relaxing on the windowsill across the road.

 

I think we can see where this is going

 

Careful aim was taken.

 

The weapon was energised!

 

The cat literally went straight up like a Harrier jump-jet and wasn't seen for several days!

 

I think from this experiment we can conclude that laser pointers are indeed effective against errant pussies.

 

Thank yo for the information. I don't want to hurt the cat as much as stop it coming around. I have no idea where it lives, but it seems to be fed and living somewhere else, and TBH, I don't want the cat at all.

[DezLez]

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

I think from this experiment we can conclude that laser pointers are indeed effective against errant pussies.

Do you know if they work against soi dogs?

I suspect that they would!

[kimamey]

9 hours ago, BKKBike09 said:

 

I'm calling bulbul$h1t on this figure!

It's probably the figure they're targeting, and as unlikely as the numbers targeted for tourists.