450 Tigers Seized From Private Thai Zoo

[sriracha john]

So, if the zoo is still open, what can you see if they have no tigers?

The breeding factory is still open and has hundreds of tigers. They are being mass produced through such practices as in-breeding which is causing havoc on the limited gene pool.

The owners are well-connected and with the high fees they charge (particularly for foreigners) from the hundreds of visitors who are unaware of it's severely tainted history, they have a big cash flow.... which allows them to stay in business.

Edited August 10, 2007 by sriracha john

[hammered]

So, if the zoo is still open, what can you see if they have no tigers?

The breeding factory is still open and has hundreds of tigers. They are being mass produced through such practices as in-breeding which is causing havoc on the limited gene pool.

The owners are well-connected and with the high fees they charge (particularly for foreigners) from the hundreds of visitors who are unaware of it's severely tainted history, they have a big cash flow.... which allows them to stay in business.

Do they still have African women wearing skimpy Jane costumes psoing with the Tigers for Chinese tourist photoshoots? I found that pretty distasteful the one time I visited.

[Globeliner]

Seems pretty pathetic to me.

By breeding these tigers the Tiger Zoo was helping expand the population.

How many other zoos have been as successful?

Less than 5,000 wild tigers currently exist in the world, compared to some 100,000 a century ago, according to the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency.

Where are the confiscated tigers now?

How many will still be alive in 6 months time?

I wonder who wasn't getting their graft money?

Good questions astral, agreed 100% with you

[sriracha john]

Plodprasop at fault in tiger sale

The National Counter Corruption Commission yesterday found former forest department chief Plodprasop Suraswadi guilty of malfeasance in the export of 100 tigers to China in 2002. NCCC member Klanarong Chanthik said the decision to indict Mr Plodprasop and some forestry officials on criminal and disciplinary charges was unanimous. They had breached the Wildlife Protection Act in authorising Sri Racha Tiger Zoo to export 100 Bengal tigers, a protected species, to a private zoo in Hainan, China, for commercial purposes. The NCCC's decision was based on the Forest Police Bureau investigation. Sri Racha Tiger Zoo in Chon Buri was a major business partner of the Chinese zoo. It claimed the export was part of the department's breeding and conservation programme. Mr Plodprasop, as forest department chief, authorised the tigers' export in October 2002. The investigation report will go to the attorney-general for prosecution.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/10Aug2007_news11.php

===============================================================================

Neither the Chinese facility nor Sriracha facility should be categorized as a "zoo"

Thai Worker In China Zoo Mauled By Tiger

Other related Thaivisa topics and posts on this horrendous blight on the otherwise good name of Sriracha:

PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT THIS "ATTRACTION" THAT ABUSES ANIMALS CONTINUALLY

Sriracha Tiger Parts Factory

More Than 100 Tigers Killed

Special Investigation: Thailand, Safety Documentary On UK Television about Animal Parks

Suspected Bird Flu Claims 23 Thai Tigers

Edited August 10, 2007 by sriracha john

[Tony Clifton]

So, if the zoo is still open, what can you see if they have no tigers?

Here's a place with more honor and pride.

The Sri Racha Tire Zoo.

[Sir Burr]

Seems pretty pathetic to me.

By breeding these tigers the Tiger Zoo was helping expand the population.

How many other zoos have been as successful?

Less than 5,000 wild tigers currently exist in the world, compared to some 100,000 a century ago, according to the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency.

Where are the confiscated tigers now?

How many will still be alive in 6 months time?

I wonder who wasn't getting their graft money?

Good questions astral, agreed 100% with you

Of course, you do know that Astral composed that post three years ago, don't you?

[sriracha john]

Plodprasop protests his innocence

Former Royal Forestry Department chief Plodprasop Suraswadi yesterday said he would appeal the National Counter Corruption Commission's (NCCC) decision to indict him for malfeasance over his involvement in exporting 100 Bengal tigers to China in October 2002.

Speaking at a press conference to respond to the NCCC's decision on Thursday, Plodprasop said he also planned to file the issue with the Office of the Civil Service Commission, and possibly move the Administrative Court for "protection" as he believed this was an attempt bully him even though he had retired.

Plodprasop said he was surprised by the indictment since a previous disciplinary probe into the issue had concluded that he was not at fault, the Council of State had found him not guilty, and public prosecutors had not pursued the case.

"But the new NCCC revived this case and now says I'm guilty. This is unfair. I'm puzzled how the judgement then could be revised in retrospect, as I've been retired for years now," he said.

Insisting that the tigers were not from Thailand but imported legally from India, Plodprasop said their export should not affect Thailand's natural resources. The tigers belonged to Chon Buri's Sri Racha Tiger Zoo, "so they could be given to anyone", he added.

Besides, the Wildlife Protection Act's articles 23 and 26 authorised him, as the then Forestry Department director-general, to approve the tigers' export, he said. The Chinese authorities also confirmed they wanted the tigers for research and that the animals "now lived comfortably and had multiplied to over 500", he said.

Plodprasop said he had "done good things all his life" and served as director-general at three departments over a 14-year period, so why should he be charged and accused of destroying what he helped create.

He said he was confident of winning if it came to a court battle, but currently he was "more concerned about my reputation".

Plodprasop said he was considering setting up a foundation for civil servants facing similar problems to come together and fight for justice. "Even when I was a director-general I was targeted by such bullying, so what must it be like for low-ranking officials? If possible, I might set up a foundation to fight this to prevent the pain I'm suffering now," he said.

Also present at the press conference were Plodprasop's second son, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources official Pinsak Suraswadi, his lawyer, and 10 Chiang Mai Night Safari employees.

Plodprasop, who looked relaxed, provided seven documents related to the tigers' export, plus the report of the previous disciplinary probe, articles 23 and 26 of the Wildlife Protection Act, and a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) report about the tigers' living conditions.

- The Nation

========================================================================

The tigers imported from India??? what a load of crap... the Sriracha Tiger Factory churned them out.

The Chinese wanted the tigers for research?? what a load of crap... the thread on that case posted above points out the kind of place it really is.

Chiang Mai Night Safari show up for support??? that speaks for itself...

[Dakhar]

This GENE POOL coruption theory.... Ummm they are killing them off, there is no damage to the gene pool if they are being killed off. It is not like they are introducing mutants into the wild. So this does not make the GENE POOL argument makes no sense at all.

Do they still have a skimpy clad african for pictures? When I was there in Dec. they had a male african there for photos.... I found it also to be very barbaric, but what do you expect from a nation of prostitution? I also wondered what the guy's work visa said, "consultant."

Truth is, I don't see anything wrong with what they were doing. In the long run, the Chinese will have there tummys full from wild animals, which really will impact the wild life population.

The Chinese as a whole are really not very animal conciencious group. They will eat anything, and then if you say it is rare, the will eat with vigor. If you tell them thier phalice will grow they will eat all the more.

Wow.... our future awaits us.

[sriracha john]

The National Counter Corruption Committee confirmed allegations against former Forestry Department director-general Plodprasob Surasawadee.

Plodprasob has been accused of allowing the Sri Racha Tiger Zoo company to send one-hundred tigers to a zoo in China.

NCCC member Pakdee Pohsiri said that Plodprasob violated Article 26 of the Wild Life Preservation and Protection Act, which prohibits exporting protected endangered species, except for state educational projects.

In this case, the committee has found no evidence indicating that the Chinese government asked for the tigers. Pakdee added that even for a retired civil servant, punishment for illegal conduct can be made by revoking their pension rights. *This is in addition to the criminal case ramifications mentioned in the other articles.*

Another anti-corrpution committee member Prasart Pongsiwapai denied the team is trying to wrongfully accuse the retired official, and insisted that the investigation has been thorough and accurate.

The committee also welcomed any evidence that Plodprasob could use to refute the allegations.

- Thailand Outlook

[englishoak]

450 ? ? ? I have heard of the zoo but as I hate them anyway I would never go ....... But 450 !

Excuse me but that probably means they have about 5% of the worlds Tigers in a Zoo. Thats not a Zoo thats a farm

Dodamn place should be closed and the Tigers re introduced where possible they're supposed to be protected for gods sake !. And as for Mr P why do I get the feeling this was his nice little retirement fund.

Edited August 11, 2007 by englishoak

[Tony Clifton]

A Thai friend told me yesterday that his ex-boss used to hang out with Plodprasob and that tiger meat had been eaten on location along with alligator and turtle meat at the zoo's restaurant.. From what I understood, it was not advertised on the menu but possible for people to eat it. Only alligator meat is advertised but I'll bet they served tiger and turtle as well.

The zoo's website (another eyesore) shows a menu that seems to be mostly vegetarian but there is emphasis on the healing properties of every meal.

Zoo's Menu

So, my guess is that you could eat tiger meat at the zoo if you asked for it, or, you could put in an order for a hundred retarded tigers for take-out.

Feed him to his own tigers.

Edited August 12, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[kiakaha]

And will that pig that become surrogate mother be prosecuted? surely the pig should be seen as an accomplice???

I've been known to do that to my bacon aswell

[bino]

Plodprasop protests his innocence

Another interesting headline from the Thai media.... if he "protests his innocence", doesn't that mean the same as he "disputes his innocence?"

[brahmburgers]

Mr. Plod and the tiger farm heads should be prosecuted vigorously and quickly. If found guilty, they should be given serious penalties that stick (a rare event for Thai VIP's).

The tiger farm should be taken over by farang who are versed in how to re-introduce species to wild environments. I'd be pleasantly surprised if there are any Thais who are really abreast of what it takes to do that. Rule #1, don't have direct human interactions with tigers - especially not lovey-dovey pet-like interactions with cubs or cats of any ages.

Rule #2, train them to hunt, because every day tigers are in captivity, is another day such survival skills get dissipated.

[sriracha john]

Plodprasop seeks review to clear name over tiger exports

Plodprasop Suraswadi, former chief of the Royal Forestry Department, will today ask the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) to review its decision to indict him for malfeasance over his involvement in the export of 100 Bengal tigers to China five years ago.

"I will submit relevant documents to the NCCC," Plodprasop said yesterday. He said some NCCC members claimed that they did not see China's written request to buy the tigers, while such documents existed.

"Another point is that the NCCC has accused me of breaching Clause 1 of Section 26 in the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, while I exercised my authority under Clause 2," Plodprasop said.

According to Clause 2, private zoos can export animals if they obtain permission from the government. The animals in this case belonged to privately owned Sri Racha Tiger Zoo.

Plodprasop said he had previously exercised his authority in this manner while at the helm of the Royal Forestry Department and did not have any problem.

He insisted that his action had caused no harm to the country. He saw it as good for Thailand's relationships with China.

Watana Vetayaprasit, who heads the Wildlife and Wild Plant Conservation and Protection Division, said the case now seemed to depend on how the NCCC would interpret the law. "I don't know whether the case will make it harder to export animals," he said.

According to Watana, the Lao government has asked for six Bengal tigers from Thailand and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation was still considering the request.

If approved, the tigers will be sent to a state zoo in Laos.

- The Nation

[suegha]

The tiger population worldwide is at such small numbers that it is doomed to extinction! The gene pool arguement is valid (nothing to do with a zoo!) because the numbers are too small to sustain a future for these animals. The same is true of many other species! It's a sad world we live in...

[Tony Clifton]

The tiger population worldwide is at such small numbers that it is doomed to extinction! The gene pool arguement is valid (nothing to do with a zoo!) because the numbers are too small to sustain a future for these animals. The same is true of many other species! It's a sad world we live in...

But some Asians find it particularly tasty.

[Nignoy]

The tiger population worldwide is at such small numbers that it is doomed to extinction! The gene pool arguement is valid (nothing to do with a zoo!) because the numbers are too small to sustain a future for these animals. The same is true of many other species! It's a sad world we live in...

Intensive captive breeding and gene research with endangered species, has been an essential part of modern zoo management for over 30 years, Siberian Tigers, Snow leopard captive breeding and release programs are being , successfully carried out !!if we had not started captive breeding and artificial insemination, the only raptors left in UK would be a few kestrels and the odd owl, as far as asian tigers are concerned the only thing stopping more being released into the wild,is the lack of safe reserve land to release them and also the lack of protection, there are a few nightmare stories about animals being released and within 7 days turning up on ships and planes on their way to europe or the states.Nignoy

[sriracha john]

Plodprasop case closed barring fresh evidence

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) will not review its decision to indict Plodprasop Suraswadi, former chief of the Royal Forest Department, for malfeasance unless there is fresh evidence in the tiger-export case against him.

Plodprasop yesterday presented 189 pages of documents to the NCCC contesting the case.

"The law does not allow the NCCC to review its final ruling except when there are new facts," NCCC member Prasart Pongsivapai said.

He said the commission would need to examine the documents from Plodprasop before deciding whether a review of its ruling would take place. "We will ensure justice to everyone," said Prasart, who heads an NCCC subcommittee investigating the case.

According to Plodprasop, he had the authority to authorise the export of 100 Bengal tigers to China in a process initiated by China's request for the tigers for one of its zoos. There was evidence to prove that there was "nothing wrong" with the export, he said.

"Please give me justice," Plodprasop said, adding that the NCCC had never summoned him to testify in the case.

With the NCCC decision to indict him, Plodprasop said he would be "unqualified" to pursue a political career.

"I have already retired from the civil service, but I do have a desire to enter politics," he said, when asked whether his move was intended to secure a political future.

- The Nation

=============================================================================

Given his criminal status, he should be warmly welcomed by TRT II, TRT III, TRT IV, or TRT V.

[brahmburgers]

Plodprasop case closed barring fresh evidence

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) will not review its decision to indict Plodprasop Suraswadi, former chief of the Royal Forest Department, for malfeasance unless there is fresh evidence in the tiger-export case against him.

Plodprasop yesterday presented 189 pages of documents to the NCCC contesting the case.

"The law does not allow the NCCC to review its final ruling except when there are new facts," NCCC member Prasart Pongsivapai said.

He said the commission would need to examine the documents from Plodprasop before deciding whether a review of its ruling would take place. "We will ensure justice to everyone," said Prasart, who heads an NCCC subcommittee investigating the case.

According to Plodprasop, he had the authority to authorise the export of 100 Bengal tigers to China in a process initiated by China's request for the tigers for one of its zoos. There was evidence to prove that there was "nothing wrong" with the export, he said.

"Please give me justice," Plodprasop said, adding that the NCCC had never summoned him to testify in the case.

With the NCCC decision to indict him, Plodprasop said he would be "unqualified" to pursue a political career.

"I have already retired from the civil service, but I do have a desire to enter politics," he said, when asked whether his move was intended to secure a political future.

- The Nation

=============================================================================

Given his criminal status, he should be warmly welcomed by TRT II, TRT III, TRT IV, or TRT V.

NCCC has dropped the ball big time and shown that they have no teeth (sorry for the double idioms). Mr. Plod can plead like a nine year old caught with his hand in the cookie jar, but NCCC members should have the cojones to look at where the evidence points: It point directly at an underhanded biz deal that supplies rare cats to a people who lust after tiger parts. The Chinese are renown for eating expensive tiger flesh and thinking that injesting dried tiger bone is exilir for flaccid penises. Has NCCC conducted any in-depth interviews with the people who bought the tigers - has there been any investigations as to where the tigers are now. My guess is if there's been any investigation at all, it's come up against a stone wall.

And what of the bosses at the tiger factory - are they being investigated for criminal activities in this matter?

[canuckamuck]

Intensive captive breeding and gene research with endangered species, has been an essential part of modern zoo management for over 30 years, Siberian Tigers, Snow leopard captive breeding and release programs are being , successfully carried out !!if we had not started captive breeding and artificial insemination, the only raptors left in UK would be a few kestrels and the odd owl, as far as asian tigers are concerned the only thing stopping more being released into the wild,is the lack of safe reserve land to release them and also the lack of protection, there are a few nightmare stories about animals being released and within 7 days turning up on ships and planes on their way to europe or the states.Nignoy

I think it is fairly unrealistic to imagine you can release tigers back into the Thai countryside. They'd be dead in a week because Som Chi won't put up with tigers running around his chickens and nursing on his pigs. Let's face it Thailand is not the land of ecological planning and ethics. I'm suprised we still have rats. If they're lucky they'll still have some non-agricultural trees around in 20 years.

[Meeone]

Plodprasop protests his innocence

Insisting that the tigers were not from Thailand but imported legally from India, Plodprasop said their export should not affect Thailand's natural resources. The tigers belonged to Chon Buri's Sri Racha Tiger Zoo, "so they could be given to anyone", he added.

========================================================================

The tigers imported from India??? what a load of crap... the Sriracha Tiger Factory churned them out.

The Chinese wanted the tigers for research?? what a load of crap... the thread on that case posted above points out the kind of place it really is.

Chiang Mai Night Safari show up for support??? that speaks for itself...

No way they could have been brought from India. Export is banned even for zoo to zoo transfers. There are only 333 tigers in captivity ..... how come 100 of them could be sent out?

http://www.wild-india.com/IndianAnimals/bengal-tiger.html

Most Bengal tigers live in India, and some range through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Their esimated population is approximately 3,250-4,700 tigers, with roughly 333 in captivity, mostly in zoos in India.

Quite likely they are from Thailand or from across the border in Myanmar. The "zoo" should be shut down and all the animals let loose .

Hopefully, the tigers would have their owners for lunch, breakfast or dinner .... whatever.

Meeone

[Nignoy]

Plodprasop protests his innocence

Insisting that the tigers were not from Thailand but imported legally from India, Plodprasop said their export should not affect Thailand's natural resources. The tigers belonged to Chon Buri's Sri Racha Tiger Zoo, "so they could be given to anyone", he added.

========================================================================

The tigers imported from India??? what a load of crap... the Sriracha Tiger Factory churned them out.

The Chinese wanted the tigers for research?? what a load of crap... the thread on that case posted above points out the kind of place it really is.

Chiang Mai Night Safari show up for support??? that speaks for itself...

No way they could have been brought from India. Export is banned even for zoo to zoo transfers. There are only 333 tigers in captivity ..... how come 100 of them could be sent out?

http://www.wild-india.com/IndianAnimals/bengal-tiger.htmlJust to reply to a couple of questions, there have been quite a few releases of captive bred tigers in the last 15 years, the successful releases happened quietly without brass bands and publicity, other publicised releasesdisappeared some within 14 days, In 1970 I was involved with Professor Seiffert from the Dresden and Leipzig zoos in the setting up of the Siberian and Bengal Tiger Stud Books, if you care to check!! it is only since tiger tourism has become big business in india, that Indian Wildlife groups have realised that they have a duty to preserve their wildlife, in my opinion they were adament in their refusal of outside help at first,their wild gene pool is so restricted with inbreeding that the wild population will die out on its own !!unless new proven breeding stock is essential to ensure the survival of the wild population, the pure gene pool in captivityin europe alone have stud records going back over 100 years, our suggestion 20 years ago of providing a volontary Artificial insemination service from european stock our offer was turned down . Nignoy

Most Bengal tigers live in India, and some range through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Their esimated population is approximately 3,250-4,700 tigers, with roughly 333 in captivity, mostly in zoos in India.

Quite likely they are from Thailand or from across the border in Myanmar. The "zoo" should be shut down and all the animals let loose .

Hopefully, the tigers would have their owners for lunch, breakfast or dinner .... whatever.

Meeone

[sriracha john]

Plodprasop seeks review to clear name over tiger exports

Plodprasop Suraswadi, former chief of the Royal Forestry Department, will today ask the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) to review its decision to indict him for malfeasance over his involvement in the export of 100 Bengal tigers to China five years ago.

"I will submit relevant documents to the NCCC," Plodprasop said yesterday. He said some NCCC members claimed that they did not see China's written request to buy the tigers, while such documents existed.

"Another point is that the NCCC has accused me of breaching Clause 1 of Section 26 in the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, while I exercised my authority under Clause 2," Plodprasop said.

According to Clause 2, private zoos can export animals if they obtain permission from the government. The animals in this case belonged to privately owned Sri Racha Tiger Zoo.

Plodprasop said he had previously exercised his authority in this manner while at the helm of the Royal Forestry Department and did not have any problem.

He insisted that his action had caused no harm to the country. He saw it as good for Thailand's relationships with China.

Watana Vetayaprasit, who heads the Wildlife and Wild Plant Conservation and Protection Division, said the case now seemed to depend on how the NCCC would interpret the law. "I don't know whether the case will make it harder to export animals," he said.

According to Watana, the Lao government has asked for six Bengal tigers from Thailand and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation was still considering the request.

If approved, the tigers will be sent to a state zoo in Laos.

- The Nation

UPDATE... he wants a new job with the new government

Plodprasop 'can handle anything'

Plodprasop Suraswadi insisted yesterday that he is qualified to take any ministerial position in the new Cabinet despite the Secretariat of Prime Minister's Office recent decision to remove him as permanent secretary to the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry.

"I do not yet know which position I am going to get. The only thing I can say is that at my age, I want the chance to serve the nation. I am ready to accept any position as I am fully qualified," he told The Nation in a telephone interview.

Plodprasop actually retired from the ministry last October but the PM's Office Secretariat ordered him to be expelled in December as punishment for his part in approving the export of tigers to China in 2002 when he was director-general of the Royal Forestry Department (RFD).

Plodprasop, whose name is listed as the possible Environment and Natural Resources Minister, said he had heard about the PM's Office decision, but did not pay any attention to it.

"For me the decision is nothing to do with the law as I have a clean slate. I am protected by an amnesty issued on December 5. So, there is no reason for me to pay any heed to it," he said.

Plodprasop referred to a 2007 retroactive amnesty law which stated that criminal and disciplinary records of those who already been punished before December 5, 2007 shall be deleted.

Moreover, Article 6 indicates that the punishment shall not apply to those whose cases were terminated before December 5, which was marked as his Majesty the King's birthday. The law was issued to celebrate the His Majesty the King's 80th birthday.

According to Plodprasop, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2005 instructed the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry to drop the case after a government panel to investigate claims of disciplinary violations by Plodprasop concluded that he did not violate any regulations in allowing the export of 100 tigers to China.

The panel was chaired by Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan.

"I received an amnesty on HM the King's birthday, so any decision made after that would not apply to me," he insisted.

In 2002, Plodprasop, then director-general of the RFD, allowed Sri Racha Tiger Zoo { :D } to export 100 Bengal tigers to a private zoo on the island of Hainan.

As the tigers are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, exports can only be carried out between governments and only for research and education.

However on August 9, last year the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) concluded that despite Dhipavadee's panel cleared Plodprasop, the NCCC found him guilty of involvement in the export of the tigers.

At that time, NCC spokesperson Klanarong Chantik, said that the commission would send its findings to Plodprasop's supervisor and call for disciplinary punishment. They were also sent to the Office of the Attorney-General to begin a criminal action.

It was believed that the decision of the PM's office was to follow the NCCC's decision.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

In addition to the monstrously deadly Sriracha Tiger Zoo... another scandal-laden entity could be under Plodprasop's control if he's selected...

Safari park staff plan protest to put pressure on new minister

Staff at Chiang Mai Night Safari hope Plodprasop Suraswadi, who is expected to take the position of Environment Minister, will heed their call to review a plan to transfer the zoo to the state Zoological Park Organization. The night safari is currently run by the Designated Area for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), a public organization set up under the Thaksin Shinawatra administration to manage up-scale tourist spots. Plodprasop is a former DASTA Chief.

"Zoo staff plan to gather in front of Government House to protest against the transfer plan," a source at the Night Safari said. The protest would coincide with the appointment of the new Environment Minister. Chiang Mai Night Safari Director Uppatham Pavaputanont yesterday confirmed the protest plan, saying he would lead more than 240 staff to Bangkok. He refused to give the exact date.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/24Jan2008_news15.php

[BigSnake]

Yes, yes, good job for once(police) it's about time, maybe just maybe these animals will get better treatment. way to go, doing something right for a change.

[0Mix1up]

That amnesty thing is a very strange.

Hows it work?

[Ricardo]

That amnesty thing is a very strange.

Hows it work?

That's a complicated and interesting subject.

Let's discuss it, over an all-you-can-eat exotic-meats special-price buffet, with lion & elephant & giraffe (but tiger is now off-the-menu due to being out-of-stock), at Khun Plodprasop's TRT-Recommended All-You-Can-Eat Restaurant at the Chiang-Mai Night Safari Project. Did I mention that it's all-you-can-eat BTW ?

[Tony Clifton]

I can only think of one thing when I hear of people in this modern world still eating lion , elephant, giraffe,tiger and other exotic animals...

[sriracha john]

In addition to the monstrously deadly Sriracha Tiger Zoo... another scandal-laden entity could be under Plodprasop's control if he's selected...

Safari park staff plan protest to put pressure on new minister

Staff at Chiang Mai Night Safari hope Plodprasop Suraswadi, who is expected to take the position of Environment Minister, will heed their call to review a plan to transfer the zoo to the state Zoological Park Organization. The night safari is currently run by the Designated Area for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), a public organization set up under the Thaksin Shinawatra administration to manage up-scale tourist spots. Plodprasop is a former DASTA Chief.

"Zoo staff plan to gather in front of Government House to protest against the transfer plan," a source at the Night Safari said. The protest would coincide with the appointment of the new Environment Minister. Chiang Mai Night Safari Director Uppatham Pavaputanont yesterday confirmed the protest plan, saying he would lead more than 240 staff to Bangkok. He refused to give the exact date.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/24Jan2008_news15.php

UPDATE

Night Safari now has a new keeper

The director of Chiang Mai Night Safari finally accepted the order from the government that the safari must be governed by the Zoological Park Organisation, while members of Paki Khon Hug Chiang Mai said the move would put an end to the many mistakes the Night Safari management had made.

According to the Cabinet, the Zoological Park Organisation was to take control of the operations of the Chiang Mai Night Safari on January 22. The order will see the Special Zones Development Organisation for Sustainable Tourism, which now governs the safari, transfer power to the Zoological Organisation of Thailand and establish a company in which the government is the sole shareholder.

The Zoological Park Organisation is part of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and will therefore put most of its emphasis on the care of animals.

The Director of the Night Safari, Upatharn Bhava-phutanont na Mahasarakham, said that he and the safari's employees would accept the order, although they were not in full agreement with the decision, and would respond to the new plan in the near future.

Before the order was launched, about 200 staff at the Night Safari demonstrated on January 20 in front of Chiang Mai City Hall against the Cabinet's decision. The protesters believe that the objectives of the Zoological Organisation run counter to those of the Night Safari and therefore limit marketing opportunities. They also say the transfer of employees without their agreement is in breach of their human rights as stated in Article 26 of the Constitution. If their protests are not taken seriously, they will organise further demonstrations and may also submit their resignations, they say.

Nikhom Puttha, a member of Paki Khon Hug Chiang Mai Organisation, said the Zoological Park Organisation could take better care of the animals in the safari than officials.

- The Nation

Edited February 2, 2008 by sriracha john