Health Ministry promises strict controls on cockfighting

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Public Health yesterday pledged that it would ensure stringent controls on cockfighting dens to prevent the spread of avian flu, following the Interior Ministry's decision to allow dens to operate.

Speaking in response to fears that the Interior Ministry's decision could pave the way for further bird flu outbreaks, Public Health Minister Suchai Charoenrattanakul said that the two ministries were working closely with the Department of Livestock Development to oversee cockfights, and that all fighting cocks would have to be registered.

Stressing that cockfighting was a manageable business, he said that what was important was to ensure a strict system of controls.

He also spoke of the need for close collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health and the Department of Livestock Development on other preventative measures, while pointing to the fact that the ministry had opened 12 avian flu analysis laboratories nationwide which were providing increasingly accurate results.

"I have also ordered provinces which are constantly experiencing outbreaks of avian flu, such as the lower northern region and the upper central region, to carry out constant 'x-rays'", he said, referring to inspections for the presence of the avian flu virus.

"But areas which have never seen incidents of the disease must also be monitored", he noted.

Dr. Suchai must now decide whether or not to go ahead with a US proposal to launch human trials for avian flu vaccines in Thailand.

Yesterday he stressed that the important points to consider before approving the scheme were whether or not the virus used in the vaccines was a dead one, and whether or not it was safe for human use.

Describing the issue of vaccine trials as a delicate one, he admitted that it would take some time to resolve.

--TNA 2005-03-23

Health Ministry promises strict controls on cockfighting 

"I have also ordered provinces which are constantly experiencing outbreaks of avian flu, such as the lower northern region and the upper central region, to carry out constant 'x-rays'", he said, referring to inspections for the presence of the avian flu virus. 

"But areas which have never seen incidents of the disease must also be monitored", he noted.

Dr. Suchai must now decide whether or not to go ahead with a US proposal to launch human trials for avian flu vaccines in Thailand. 

--TNA 2005-03-23

I assume the good Doctor is talking about X-Raying people - not chickens - but even so, can avian flu, or any other virus, be detected using X-rays??

Patrick

Why do people still enjoy this kind of crap? Isn't Muay Thai enough for these people? Or are these people just gambling junkies, what am saying, of course they are. And Thai people are afraid of what video games are going to do to their youth.

Officially approving cockfighting is but a prelude to approving the BIG money to be had by casino-gambling by Mr. T and others.

Isn't bullfighting much more cruel than this? I am against any cruelty towards animals! And these people in my opinion do not deserve to live!

I noticed the other day Add Carabou said he loves his chickens like children and then he sticks them in a cock fight.

Isn't bullfighting much more cruel than this?  I am against any cruelty towards animals!  And these people in my opinion do not deserve to live!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's all cruel, of course. Buffalo fighting on Samui is quite the scene, too

Buffalo fighting on Samui is quite the scene, too

That's sad. I thought those events on Samui were more of a pushing contest.

If they really want a blood sport bring back the good Roman pastime of gladiatorial games. Sign up those crazy enough to do it or/& the wrost convicts you've got. Fun for the whole family and you won't piss off PETA.