African Ivory Smuggling With A Thai Face

[webfact]

African ivory smuggling with a Thai face: illicit wildlife trade continues

Although the world's elephant population has dramatically declined during the past decade, ivory smuggling has continued relentlessly. Recently, Thai traders were caught red-handed with contraband ivory while packing the merchandise for delivery to customers around the world.

This was the first time Thai traders have been arrested in ivory smuggling trade.

Samart Chokchuayma and Kanokwan Wongsaroj admitted they delivered their ivory products to customers more than 80 times in the past four years and that the lucrative business of buying and selling ivories were made on the internet.

Their confessions led to the arrest of a buyer in the United States, Mon Ti Chao, as well as an arrest in a week ago of two Thai women from Nakhon Sawan's Phayuha Khiri district. The women, owners of a local jewelry shop, had six pieces of southern African ivory tusks in their possession.

The seizure of six elephant tusks, weighing around 32 kg, was set out by Thai forestry police and representatives from the Freeland Foundation, a non-profit organisation against the illegal wildlife trade, after both parties contacted ivory smugglers and expressed their interest in buying elephant tusks.

A DNA test received from the elephant flesh on the confiscated ivories indicated that the three ill-fated pachyderms were around 40 years old and of southern African breeds.

According to forestry police, the ivory smuggling network chose Thailand as a centre for processing ivory products due to Thai skillful craftsmanship which helps enhance the value of the merchandise. Craftsmen are mostly from Nakhon Sawan, Ayutthaya, Surin and Kanchanaburi.

National Resources and Environment Crime Division deputy commander Pol Gen Suebsak Chawanwiwat, said ivories had been imported to Thailand by air cargo either via diplomatic privilege, which is free from official inspections, or passed through the 'Goods to Declare' channel with false declarations that their merchandise was furniture or something else rather than ivory.

"The imported containers of ivory do not carry the names of senders or receivers. Once the containers arrive at the airport, those involved--or insiders who may cooperate with some officials-- simply come and pick up the merchandise," Gen Suebsak said.

A former special agent of the US Fish and Wildlife Service insisted that ivory smuggling in South Africa has become much worse.

"Park and security officials have engaged in exchanges of gunfire with poachers who killed the warden. The authorities killed two poachers and wounded two others. The international ivory trade is as bad as illegal drugs and narcotics smuggling," said Doug Goessman, the former special agent.

Although illicit traders prefer African over Thai elephant tusks, Thailand is branded as one of Asia's biggest hubs for ivory smuggling together with China, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Congo.

Since 2007, Thai officials have seized over 10 tons of ivories at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, most of which were from southern African countries. The continent holds two-thirds of the world's elephant population.

Thai forestry police said the investigation are difficult for ivory smugglers are vigilant and are always able to escape. Unfortunately, the authorities indicated, the Thais arrested recently were not masterminds of the hitherto smuggling network. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-01-25

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[sunsamourai]

It's good they got some of these guys. I hope that justice will be enforced full strength, even though the article doesn't point to the type of possible punishment.

I hope they will arrest more, including the people trading the riches from the sea, in the south.

[IanBungy]

No Point in arresting them Slapping their hand and giving them a Small Fine. Execute Them all!!! To many local People Kill any Animal they see, Endangered or otherwise!!! And I have heard all the Stories about: "Oh but they are Poor", "They don't have any Education" Blah Blah!!! They Know and they have a Choice, Same as Drug Dealers yet they get the Death Sentence???

Cheers Ian.

[framesolution]

These scum bags should get their 3-inch 'tusks' yanked out as punishment. Wouldn't be worth much on the open market but would be poetic justice.

Edited January 25, 2010 by framesolution

[JimmyTheMook]

Big market in Chatujak openly selling ivory

[Clarkee]

Big market in Chatujak openly selling ivory

When will they learn!

Animals have feelings just the same as they do.Elephants in particular shed tears just like we do.How would they like it if someone came along and dissected a part of their own anatomy off a part from one of their children or family.

[mizzi39]

Big market in Chatujak openly selling ivory

Ivory is sold openly throughout the kingdom, from trendy boutiques to open air markets. There must be some loophole somewhere.

[webfact]

AFAIK some elephant ivory can be sold legally. Its from dead animal.

I doubt most of the ivory sold at some markets in Thailand is elephant ivory.

Can well be hippo ivory which can be sold IMO.

[zzaa09]

The truly sad {and disgusting} aspect of this story and the broader topic is that as long as a market exist for elephant ivory, bear claws, tiger skins, etc, etc - such activity will continue. Regardless of the harshness of the punishment. Perhaps if we pursued the marketplace and the buyers with the same zeal....

[jts-khorat]

Big market in Chatujak openly selling ivory

Ivory is sold openly throughout the kingdom, from trendy boutiques to open air markets. There must be some loophole somewhere.

The seizure of six elephant tusks, weighing around 32 kg, was set out by Thai forestry police and representatives from the Freeland Foundation ...]

According to forestry police, the ivory smuggling network chose Thailand as a centre for processing ivory products

As often the case in Thailand, law enforcement seems to catch a small pawn instead of going after the big guys.

32 kg of ivory compared to the tons and tons of it smuggled illegally is more of a joke number than a sign that actually something real was attempted to stop this.