Tiger Pelts Gone To The Dogs

[webfact]

Tiger pelts gone to the dogs

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- More than 200 tiger skins seized near Khao Yai National Park recently weren’t quite what they first seemed: examination revealed that the majority actually came from dogs and cows and had been painted with stripes.

The 204 animal pelts were seized from a temple in Pak Chong District by officers from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) on February 12.

The officers were acting on a tip-off from locals who saw a suspicious number of animal pelts being dried in Wat Simalai Songdhamma.

Initially the skins appeared to have come from tigers and other big cat species. There was also one crocodile skin. After being examined by experts, however, it was found that only the crocodile skin, one leopard skin and five skins from other cat species were real.

The almost 200 remaining skins were made by painting dog and cattle skins with stripes.

The monks at the temple claimed all the skins belonged to the temple abbot. The abbot was planning to tattoo the skins with religious writing and sell them as holy charms, his disloyal monks told the authorities.

DNP Director Jatuphon Burusaphat said it was unlikely that the abbot was working alone. His accomplices are now sought by local authorities.

“I want to warn people who like to buy religious items made from animal remains that this is not just illegal; they can also be conned. For example in this case they weren’t tiger skins, but dog and cow skins – if you worship them they will not bring good fortune. They are a cause of animal cruelty as well,” Mr Jatuphon said.

With the advent of the Year of the Tiger, attempts to smuggle tiger parts are likely to increase, he added.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-02-23

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[mizzi39]

maybe the monks were saving them for the next "year of the dog'. Anyway sick shit to say the least.

[ballpoint]

For example in this case they weren’t tiger skins, but dog and cow skins – if you worship them they will not bring good fortune.

This is the scariest part. The DNP director is implying that if they were real tiger skins they would bring good fortune. These monks should be skinned of their robes and thrown in jail.

On a related note, I know a Thai girl who used to work at a restaurant on the outskirts of Bangkok which claimed to serve exotic meats, including tiger. Apparently it had many customers, mainly Chinese, who were actually munching away on goat meat marinated in tiger urine.

[DP25]

Hope that soi dog in Pattaya some dude paints with tiger stripes is ok

[TheLaughingMan]

I cant stop laughing, this country.... MONKS did this, is no one actually good? Everyone just trying to scam and make a buck.

[Samuian]

I cant stop laughing, this country.... MONKS did this, is no one actually good? Everyone just trying to scam and make a buck.

How about catholic priest and bishops?

does a robe, a shaven head, the monastery, a vow, make instantaneously a saint out of an ordinary hu-man?

[TheLaughingMan]

Ya catholic priests are much worse! Good point!

But yes, being a monk is supposed to mean you are a better human.

[phraerik]

Ya catholic priests are much worse! Good point!

But yes, being a monk is supposed to mean you are a better human.

All over the world 90% people are not what they seems to be. Especially in the western countries. Who live by the image will perish by the image.

By the way yes the fact that it is in a Temple is spectacular. Yet there are good and bad anywhere big, small, white, black, police, Monks, man, woman... No rules at all. Use the mind to decide one by one. And if you can't just forget it.

Choke Dee & Metta.

[IanForbes]

Oh darn! I DID think that tiger skin l bought looked a litte small. And those tiny paws with the straight nails instead of hooked claws DID look a little strange.

[Shoegazer]

Oh darn! I DID think that tiger skin l bought looked a litte small. And those tiny paws with the straight nails instead of hooked claws DID look a little strange.

Deformed baby tiger cub, maybe????

[apetley]

Stories such as this only reinforce my atheism.

[poldebol]

Ya catholic priests are much worse! Good point!

But yes, being a monk is supposed to mean you are a better human.

If I am correct, being a monk is about improving yourselve, not trying to be better than others.

[TheLaughingMan]

Ya catholic priests are much worse! Good point!

But yes, being a monk is supposed to mean you are a better human.

If I am correct, being a monk is about improving yourselve, not trying to be better than others.

Well something is wrong with that theory then since all Thais listen to monks and do what they advise and they are reverred. So its alot more than just bettering oneself. They have power.