Photo via Facebook/ Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand - WFFT

 

The Dutch founder of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), Edwin Wiek, has denied accusations of animal trafficking after receiving a tiger from the Karen National Liberation Army (KNU) in Kanchanaburi on December 17. The allegations were made by retired national park official, Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, who claimed that Wiek and Thai officials were involved in the illegal transfer of the tiger from Myanmar into Thailand. Chaiwat publicised these claims on Facebook, urging for an investigation.

 

Chaiwat's accusations suggested illegal transportation of the tiger without immediate legal consequences for those involved. He alleged the presence of the foundation's founder during the transfer with Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) officials. Wiek confirmed his identity but denied breaking any Thai laws, stating the tiger was handed over following a request from the KNU after a scam raid in Myanmar.

 

Wiek explained that on December 16, the KNU approached WFFT for assistance with a tiger cub. The following day, the tiger was brought near the Thai-Myanmar border, where Wiek's team assessed its health. To ensure safety, the location was moved to army premises. KNU reported that the tiger was seized during a raid at a call centre scam, with another tiger allegedly consumed by the group prior to their arrival.

 

Wiek emphasized adherence to Thai wildlife laws and instructed his staff against crossing borders without permission. Although the KNU did not provide legal documentation for the tiger, Wiek alerted DNP officers to manage the situation according to legal protocols. Despite these actions, Channel 7 reported that the DNP submitted a formal complaint to Sangkhla Buri Police.

 

The female tiger, aged about four years and weighing 29 kilograms, has been moved to the Wildlife Forensic Science Centre for DNA testing to confirm its species and origin, reported The Thaiger.

 

Photo via Facebook/ กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช
 

Key Takeaways

• The founder of WFFT denies accusations of illegal animal trafficking.
• The tiger was seized after a raid in Myanmar and handed over by KNU.
• Legal proceedings are underway, with DNA tests planned for the tiger.

 

Related Stories:

Over 20 Baby Macaques Found Stuffed in Bags & Abandoned in Ratchaburi Forest

New Regulation to Manage Stray Animals in Bangkok by 2026

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-12-19

 

 

 

If he followed the law can he sue for defamation? Simply being  accused of trafficking can destroy one's reputation. 

Edwin Wiek is someone who loves animals and will do everything he can to give them a better life.
But there is always a kind of discord between him and the Thai authorities.
It is not the first time they have suspected him of illegal activities.
But I believe in his sincerity.

4 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

Edwin Wiek is someone who loves animals and will do everything he can to give them a better life.
But there is always a kind of discord between him and the Thai authorities.
It is not the first time they have suspected him of illegal activities.
But I believe in his sincerity.

Seems like a smear campaign

 

This guy ....retired national park official, Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn... was put in jail for 3 years for killing a Karen rights activist who disappeared in suspicious circumstances.... he basically got away with it because of thai corruption

10 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Seems like a smear campaign

 

 

I think that is for cervical cancer?

3 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

 

I think that is for cervical cancer?

My bad

40 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Seems like a smear campaign

 

Exactly. The real wildlife traffickers, the ones who make tons of money off of it, want this guy gone, because he’s hurting their business model. So they hand over some big fat brown envelopes to a few well chosen Thai officials and these guys will then come up with these bogus charges.
As per usual in Thailand: if you have enough money, you can buy literally anything you want, including corrupt Thai officials.

40 minutes ago, rudi49jr said:

As per usual in Thailand: if you have enough money, you can buy literally anything you want, including corrupt Thai officials.

 

Damn. Did I waste my time joining the Masons?

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

My bad

 

😀 

It's just the way I look at life.

Seems to me that they saved the tiger, isn’t that a very good thing ? As said, the other tiger had been *consumed* by the people in the scam center ? Wow, those scam centers need closing down fast. The retired National park guy is looking for revenge.

 

 

 

 

Edwin Wiek doesn't engage in animal trafficking or animal abuse. He's a saint with animals. Sadly, I can't say the same for how he deals with people. Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn has filed at least half-a-dozen complaints and court cases against Wiek and WFFT over the years. And he's lost all of them. Early in his career, Chaiwat was hailed as a hero for exposing corruption in the national parks system. Then in June 2025, he was fired from government service for alleged corruption including bid rigging and demanding kickbacks. A few years ago, he was also charged with murdering a Karen activist. He was acquitted, but I don't believe he was innocent. His campaign of harassment against Wiek and WFFT has been relentless. The courts should impose a jail sentence on him for repeatedly bringing meritless cases to teach him a real lesson.

We all know the reality - Thailand is corrupt to the core.

 

Most (senior) government officials responsible for protecting the Thai environment, including all flora and fauna will accept "donations" to "break" the laws.

 

An article in the current issue of the "Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society" (Vol. 67, No. 1, October 2025) provides a nice example of how some Thais (government officials and those who "illegally" capture and sell the bird) are pushing for the delisting of a currently protected Thai bird, the Red-whiskered Bulbul. 

 

Foreign conservationists are a threat to Thais who make money from the environment.