Furore Intensifies Over Elephant Trade In Thailand

[webfact]

Furore intensifies over elephant trade in Thailand

Jim Pollard

The Nation

Repeated government raids on respected wildlife sanctuaries have damaged Thailand's image at home and abroad.

BANGKOK: -- They may also have undermined the position of the National Parks chief, whose judgment has been called into serious question since revelations that killings of mature elephants in Kaeng Krachan recently were orchestrated to supply babies to elephant tourist parks - with the involvement of top officials in that park, several hours south of Bangkok.

Numerous elephant camps and wildlife centres have been raided since reports emerged in January that a criminal syndicate was selling baby elephants from Burma and national parks to tourist facilities for large sums - up to 900,000 baht each.

There have been claims that up to half of the young tuskers in Thailand have been smuggled in alongside 'fake' surrogate mothers that already have identity papers. A loophole in the law, which does not require babies to be registered till they are eight years old, has aided this trade.

There are also concerns that the use of identity chips and papers is being manipulated and subject to abuse. Many think DNA tests, which are still fairly costly, and the possible introduction of 'passports' for all elephants, are the only way to eliminate this trade and guarantee the real identity of the 3,000 or so pachyderm in Thailand.

The government's response to these allegations was to hit back at the two key accusers by raiding centres that they operate. Why? Some elephant parks are run by businesspeople with money and influence. They have a lot to lose. And tourism chiefs may also fear a backlash if tourists decide they don't want to visit elephant parks with 'captive' babies made docile and compliant by a violent 'breaking of their spirit' by mahouts.

The man who raised the alarm initially was Dutchman Edwin Wiek, who was subsequently punished by a series of raids on the wildlife rescue centre he runs in Phetchaburi. Dozens of National Parks officials and armed border police descended on his facility for more than a week, claiming Wiek had no papers for more than 100 of the 450 animals at his centre, located on temple land and backed by a local abbot.

Videos of animals being taken from Wat Khao Luk Chang - with some harmed in the process - incensed his supporters. Wiek lodged court appeals to fight claims he kept undocumented animals at the site, and has temporarily stepped down as head of the Wildlife Friends Foundation in Thailand (WFFT).

Wiek is no stranger to Thailand. He has lived here for 20 years and speaks fluent Thai. He runs one of the best wildlife facilities in Southeast Asia but has created enemies because he has been prepared to speak out. By repeating his allegations at the Foreign Correspondents Club last month ?- at an event which I hosted - he became a farang marked for revenge.

Other foreigners working in the wildlife sector believe Wiek was rash to speak publicly, saying a backlash against a 'noisy outsider' was inevitable. He has paid a heavy price - receiving death threats and seeing his Thai wife charged at the local police station after the initial raid last month. Channel 3 was also co-opted to air a report detailing the charges against him on the night he spoke at the FCCT.

Wiek has fought intimidation before, in a long-running battle with a large tourist facility in Bangkok, found with dozens of smuggled orang-utans, over 50 of which were eventually flown back to Borneo.

He was publicly backed by another shining light in the local wildlife community - Sangduan "Lek" Chailert, who runs the Elephant Nature Park (ENP) in Mae Taeng, 50km north of Chiang Mai. Lek is a short but similarly feisty individual, the winner of a host of international awards for her care for elephants.

Her sanctuary, which has 35 elephants, most of them old and infirm, was also raided. But on March 1, local reporters and TV crews were on hand to challenge parks officials. Why were they harassing one of the country's most admired wildlife activists, who operates an acclaimed facility which is just a sanctuary - a retirement home where elephants roam free?

All facilities with elephants are being checked and ENP had no papers for eight of her beasts, officials said. Privately they were told: "She stepped on someone's toes." Unlike Wiek, Lek opposes the use of elephants at tourist facilities. The Mae Taeng Valley has several hundred elephants and most of her neighbours operate tourist parks. None, I would guess, care for these glorious animals to the level that she does.

DNP officials were filmed in discussions with her lawyer, who requested 30 days to get the documents. They got 15 days. Lek said she feared that any old elephants confiscated might die at government facilities. She vowed to strongly oppose any confiscation.

Meanwhile, the owners of camps along the Burma border and others in Surin - some of them thought to be deeply involved in elephant smuggling - have talked about blocking highways and a petition to the Administrative Court to try to get Damrong Phidet, the National Parks chief, removed.

This comes on top of a protest outside the Thai embassy in London last week and petition signed by tens of thousands supporting Wiek and Lek Chailert. The government is now under attack from both the 'goodies' and the 'baddies'. It has a PR nightmare on its hands - more than 100,000 people have viewed videos of recent raids.

And little appears to have been done to rid the problem that started this whole mess: a park chief accused of murder and possible involvement in the slaying of elephants under his oversight. Surely, he must be the first to go.

And maybe it's time for the government and elephant camp operators to put their houses in order: Pay for a DNA identity system and eliminate the doubts surrounding their operations.

Jim Pollard is a sub-editor at The Nation and a member of the executive committee of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand.

-- The Nation 2012-03-12

[theseahorse]

Great to see an article pointing out how bad Thailand is looking with this whole situation.

And also pointing out that all Edwin has asked is to start doing DNA tests to prove that the elephants in camps haven't been poached from the wild. Anyone who doesn't want to do DNA tests to prove the baby elephants have been born in capitivity, surely must support the killing of wild elephants. Any legitamate elephant camps have nothing to worry about.

If the people in power cared as much about elephants as most Thai's they would welcome a DNA registry scheme and someone like Damrong could come out looking like a hero and ensure that the illegal trade isn't possible anymore. But sadly neither the goverment or head of he DNP care about their national symbol.

[timbothaivisa]

If the people in power cared as much about elephants as most Thai's they would welcome a DNA registry scheme and someone like Damrong could come out looking like a hero and ensure that the illegal trade isn't possible anymore. But sadly neither the goverment or head of he DNP care about their national symbol.

They do care, but as is often the case in Asia, they care about the perception rather than the reality. Corruption is so rife now that a brush against almost any surface quickly reveals a writhing can of worms, and we know how much people here enjoy losing face...

[Unkomoncents]

Thais and the salience of environmental issues in Thailand are a source of great reassurance in the face of the environmental onslaught countries like Vietnam and China are experiencing. If there are any large wild animals left in Southeast Asia, they may well be found in Thailand. The country is obviously a transit point for trafficking of all kinds but, in general, one admirable trait of Thais is that they do not condone the murder of animals (see most of Bangkok's dogs, maimed though they may be, for proof of the fact that few try to actually kill the animals).

[zakk9]

Thais don't condone the killing of animals unless there's money to be made. Killing stray dogs won't make anybody rich.

Thais and the salience of environmental issues in Thailand are a source of great reassurance in the face of the environmental onslaught countries like Vietnam and China are experiencing. If there are any large wild animals left in Southeast Asia, they may well be found in Thailand. The country is obviously a transit point for trafficking of all kinds but, in general, one admirable trait of Thais is that they do not condone the murder of animals (see most of Bangkok's dogs, maimed though they may be, for proof of the fact that few try to actually kill the animals).

[Dibbler]

Thais don't condone the killing of animals unless there's money to be made. Killing stray dogs won't make anybody rich.

Thais and the salience of environmental issues in Thailand are a source of great reassurance in the face of the environmental onslaught countries like Vietnam and China are experiencing. If there are any large wild animals left in Southeast Asia, they may well be found in Thailand. The country is obviously a transit point for trafficking of all kinds but, in general, one admirable trait of Thais is that they do not condone the murder of animals (see most of Bangkok's dogs, maimed though they may be, for proof of the fact that few try to actually kill the animals).

Oh really, some people have made a killing from killing Thai dogs especially in the northeast where dog trade across the border to Lao and Vietnam is rampant. Go ahead and google "dog trade Thailand" and read the results! Sorry this is a post about elephants, so let's continue the discussion about them please.

[sparebox2]

Just because the wildlife sanctuaries is owned by Farang, it does not automatically be respected, nor immune from raids.

Farang are not GODS. There are bad Farang as well. Some deal with drug, some underage protitution, some traffic humans, set up casio, some sell animal parts, etc.

And don't change the subject.

Why Wiek had no papers for more than 100 of the 450 animals at his centre?

Edited March 12, 2012 by sparebox2

[mayday49]

It is sad indeed about the Elephant as well as the many endangered species of this time.I would rather see great battles fought to protect these creatures ,than wars fought for some of Mans great Follies or Greed.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts have been removed as well as a post containing disguised profanity.

[anterian]

Off topic posts have been removed as well as a post containing disguised profanity.

" a post containing disguised profanity." do you mean by using symbols in place of letters?

On topic, elephants and their treatment by humans is just one example amongst many, tigers are even worse off. Humans and animals compete for common resources, some animals only survive at all in zoos and nature reserves because of their novelty value to attract tourist money.

I have visited zoos in many Asian countries and deplore the way many animals are kept.

I feel that tourists rather than avoiding such places should visit them and complain.

[kirk0233]

I think foreigners should stop trying to be the conscience of Thailand. Nothing will ever get done without the support of Thais. NGOs similar to Mr. Wiek's will continue to be targeted and destroyed if they obstruct a source of money for the corrupt elite. Thais are not ignorant. It is not about saving face. Acquiring wealth is just far more important than saving people or animals or honesty or Buddhism. Mr Wiek did have the animals legally.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaxCukNCp1k

Edited March 12, 2012 by kirk0233

[arrowsdawdle]

Thais and the salience of environmental issues in Thailand are a source of great reassurance in the face of the environmental onslaught countries like Vietnam and China are experiencing. If there are any large wild animals left in Southeast Asia, they may well be found in Thailand. The country is obviously a transit point for trafficking of all kinds but, in general, one admirable trait of Thais is that they do not condone the murder of animals (see most of Bangkok's dogs, maimed though they may be, for proof of the fact that few try to actually kill the animals).

Why would they kill a dog when they can sell it to Vietnamese?

[allan michaud]

Appalling situation but sadly a typical Thai response to being caught with your hand in the cookie jar, and totally embarrassing to the entire country.

I would like to see the international broadcasters picking this story up to see if that might help to embarrass the govt into doing something about the this sad thug.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Thais and the salience of environmental issues in Thailand are a source of great reassurance in the face of the environmental onslaught countries like Vietnam and China are experiencing. If there are any large wild animals left in Southeast Asia, they may well be found in Thailand. The country is obviously a transit point for trafficking of all kinds but, in general, one admirable trait of Thais is that they do not condone the murder of animals (see most of Bangkok's dogs, maimed though they may be, for proof of the fact that few try to actually kill the animals).

The fact that Mugabe was better than Pol Pot and Hitler doesn't mean he was a good guy. There are evil people in every country, and I would guess more so at the top of its business elite than in general. Lots and lots of wealthy Thais make money from the abuse and murder of animals, and more reprehensibly the destruction of their natural habitat. The average Thai may give lip service to not harming animals, and it is true that many common people actually try to follow the Buddhist teaching on this - but you're off the hook from bad karma if you pay other people to kill the animals for you!

Just because the wildlife sanctuaries is owned by Farang, it does not automatically be respected, nor immune from raids.

Farang are not GODS. There are bad Farang as well. Some deal with drug, some underage protitution, some traffic humans, set up casio, some sell animal parts, etc.

And don't change the subject.

Why Wiek had no papers for more than 100 of the 450 animals at his centre?

Actually that isn't "the" subject - the main topic is that the Thai government agencies are trying to intimidate people conscientiously working to save these animals by selectively enforcing their paperwork laws instead of supporting their intention, actually protecting elephants from being treated as chattel to be traded and abused.

The big problem is that the law is used as a weapon to benefit the wealthy here, not applied fairly for the public interest.

I think foreigners should stop trying to be the conscience of Thailand. Nothing will ever get done without the support of Thais. NGOs similar to Mr. Wiek's will continue to be targeted and destroyed if they obstruct a source of money for the corrupt elite.

The problem is that few with the necessary power care enough to actually help rally the support of decent Thais.

> It is not about saving face.

It seems that international publicity is an effective weapon to shame the government into doing the right thing and stop supporting their corrupt cronies with mafia tactics. Whatever it takes to help the elephants is justified, one has to admire those willing to suffer for such a noble cause.

> Thais are not ignorant.

> Acquiring wealth is just far more important than saving people or animals or honesty or Buddhism.

That to me is the very definition of ignorance.

[allan michaud]

Just because the wildlife sanctuaries is owned by Farang, it does not automatically be respected, nor immune from raids.

Farang are not GODS. There are bad Farang as well. Some deal with drug, some underage protitution, some traffic humans, set up casio, some sell animal parts, etc.

And don't change the subject.

Why Wiek had no papers for more than 100 of the 450 animals at his centre?

Edwin is a good and well respected man doing something that Thai's should be doing themselves, sadly most Thai's don't give a dam_n. As for the papers from what I have seen on numerous blogs and videos on the raids, the officials turned up and demanded papers instantly and did not permit them even an hour to try to locate all the paperwork. This is just about retribution nothing else.

This is a very Thai problem that the Thai people should be dealing with, why is it left to a farang to point out problems like this.

[Dibbler]

Just because the wildlife sanctuaries is owned by Farang, it does not automatically be respected, nor immune from raids.

Farang are not GODS. There are bad Farang as well. Some deal with drug, some underage protitution, some traffic humans, set up casio, some sell animal parts, etc.

And don't change the subject.

Why Wiek had no papers for more than 100 of the 450 animals at his centre?

What's interesting is that the DNP has in the past brought sick, injured and unwanted animals to Wildlife Friend's Rescue Centre to be looked after. Now they are requesting papers for some of them and taking them back. Presumably for many animals, the application for registration is waiting on someone's desk in the DNP. It would be good if we could see the condition of the facilities that the DNP has put the animals into, since lack of funds to pay for food and inadequate shelter in their wildlife captive breeding facilities was the original reason they gave them to Edwin to look after. This escapade has failed to answer the critical questions relating to elephants and their protection in Thailand. It would good if the journalist can now approach senior DNP people with knowledge of wildlife (perhaps the Wildlife Division Director) to ask about the official policy on elephant trade and trafficking, and what the Thailand government is actually doing on the ground to implement the policy.

[kirk0233]

Thais and the salience of environmental issues in Thailand are a source of great reassurance in the face of the environmental onslaught countries like Vietnam and China are experiencing. If there are any large wild animals left in Southeast Asia, they may well be found in Thailand. The country is obviously a transit point for trafficking of all kinds but, in general, one admirable trait of Thais is that they do not condone the murder of animals (see most of Bangkok's dogs, maimed though they may be, for proof of the fact that few try to actually kill the animals).

The fact that Mugabe was better than Pol Pot and Hitler doesn't mean he was a good guy. There are evil people in every country, and I would guess more so at the top of its business elite than in general. Lots and lots of wealthy Thais make money from the abuse and murder of animals, and more reprehensibly the destruction of their natural habitat. The average Thai may give lip service to not harming animals, and it is true that many common people actually try to follow the Buddhist teaching on this - but you're off the hook from bad karma if you pay other people to kill the animals for you!

Just because the wildlife sanctuaries is owned by Farang, it does not automatically be respected, nor immune from raids.

Farang are not GODS. There are bad Farang as well. Some deal with drug, some underage protitution, some traffic humans, set up casio, some sell animal parts, etc.

And don't change the subject.

Why Wiek had no papers for more than 100 of the 450 animals at his centre?

Actually that isn't "the" subject - the main topic is that the Thai government agencies are trying to intimidate people conscientiously working to save these animals by selectively enforcing their paperwork laws instead of supporting their intention, actually protecting elephants from being treated as chattel to be traded and abused.

The big problem is that the law is used as a weapon to benefit the wealthy here, not applied fairly for the public interest.

I think foreigners should stop trying to be the conscience of Thailand. Nothing will ever get done without the support of Thais. NGOs similar to Mr. Wiek's will continue to be targeted and destroyed if they obstruct a source of money for the corrupt elite.

The problem is that few with the necessary power care enough to actually help rally the support of decent Thais.

> It is not about saving face.

It seems that international publicity is an effective weapon to shame the government into doing the right thing and stop supporting their corrupt cronies with mafia tactics. Whatever it takes to help the elephants is justified, one has to admire those willing to suffer for such a noble cause.

> Thais are not ignorant.

> Acquiring wealth is just far more important than saving people or animals or honesty or Buddhism.

That to me is the very definition of ignorance.

To me it is not the definition of ignorance to hold a selfish short-term view of things. Thais are knowledgeable with respect to the consequences of their behavior. They just don't care if they harm others which is the definition of sociopathy. http://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html

[sparebox2]

Just because the wildlife sanctuaries is owned by Farang, it does not automatically be respected, nor immune from raids.

Farang are not GODS. There are bad Farang as well. Some deal with drug, some underage protitution, some traffic humans, set up casio, some sell animal parts, etc.

And don't change the subject.

Why Wiek had no papers for more than 100 of the 450 animals at his centre?

Edwin is a good and well respected man doing something that Thai's should be doing themselves, sadly most Thai's don't give a dam_n. As for the papers from what I have seen on numerous blogs and videos on the raids, the officials turned up and demanded papers instantly and did not permit them even an hour to try to locate all the paperwork. This is just about retribution nothing else.

This is a very Thai problem that the Thai people should be dealing with, why is it left to a farang to point out problems like this.

When Phuket police raid your car, do they demanded papers instantly and did not permit them even an hour to try to locate all the paperwork?

When Pattaya police raid your bar, do they demanded papers instantly and did not permit them even an hour to try to locate all the paperwork?

When Patpong police raid your bra, do they demanded papers instantly and did not permit them even an hour to try to locate all the paperwork?

[Unkomoncents]

Thais don't condone the killing of animals unless there's money to be made. Killing stray dogs won't make anybody rich.

Thais and the salience of environmental issues in Thailand are a source of great reassurance in the face of the environmental onslaught countries like Vietnam and China are experiencing. If there are any large wild animals left in Southeast Asia, they may well be found in Thailand. The country is obviously a transit point for trafficking of all kinds but, in general, one admirable trait of Thais is that they do not condone the murder of animals (see most of Bangkok's dogs, maimed though they may be, for proof of the fact that few try to actually kill the animals).

Oh really, some people have made a killing from killing Thai dogs especially in the northeast where dog trade across the border to Lao and Vietnam is rampant. Go ahead and google "dog trade Thailand" and read the results! Sorry this is a post about elephants, so let's continue the discussion about them please.

Yep. Elephants are animals. I'm talking about animals. There are bad apples everywhere. Just because a few people drive trucks with dogs in them to Vietnam doesn't mean they do it in general. I'm talking about in general. But go on. Keep whining about it. And the fact that you even know about the dog trade is because the Thai media believe Thai people care enough to publish front-page reports everytime they catch someone selling dogs.

[annabel]

Just because the wildlife sanctuaries is owned by Farang, it does not automatically be respected, nor immune from raids.

Farang are not GODS. There are bad Farang as well. Some deal with drug, some underage protitution, some traffic humans, set up casio, some sell animal parts, etc.

And don't change the subject.

Why Wiek had no papers for more than 100 of the 450 animals at his centre?

What's interesting is that the DNP has in the past brought sick, injured and unwanted animals to Wildlife Friend's Rescue Centre to be looked after. Now they are requesting papers for some of them and taking them back. Presumably for many animals, the application for registration is waiting on someone's desk in the DNP. It would be good if we could see the condition of the facilities that the DNP has put the animals into, since lack of funds to pay for food and inadequate shelter in their wildlife captive breeding facilities was the original reason they gave them to Edwin to look after. This escapade has failed to answer the critical questions relating to elephants and their protection in Thailand. It would good if the journalist can now approach senior DNP people with knowledge of wildlife (perhaps the Wildlife Division Director) to ask about the official policy on elephant trade and trafficking, and what the Thailand government is actually doing on the ground to implement the policy.

Here you go =

Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand shared Tossaporn Klunkaew's photo.

Saturday

This is one of the government facilities holding some of our confiscated animals, in Ratchaburi. They claim they take very good care of the animals? Numerous supporters have visited but have been closely shadowed by the staff, and some were instructed to delete all their photographs. Seems the DNP have much to hide. There is a picture of Edwin at the gate refusing his entry.

[annabel]

Just because the wildlife sanctuaries is owned by Farang, it does not automatically be respected, nor immune from raids.

Farang are not GODS. There are bad Farang as well. Some deal with drug, some underage protitution, some traffic humans, set up casio, some sell animal parts, etc.

And don't change the subject.

Why Wiek had no papers for more than 100 of the 450 animals at his centre?

What's interesting is that the DNP has in the past brought sick, injured and unwanted animals to Wildlife Friend's Rescue Centre to be looked after. Now they are requesting papers for some of them and taking them back. Presumably for many animals, the application for registration is waiting on someone's desk in the DNP. It would be good if we could see the condition of the facilities that the DNP has put the animals into, since lack of funds to pay for food and inadequate shelter in their wildlife captive breeding facilities was the original reason they gave them to Edwin to look after. This escapade has failed to answer the critical questions relating to elephants and their protection in Thailand. It would good if the journalist can now approach senior DNP people with knowledge of wildlife (perhaps the Wildlife Division Director) to ask about the official policy on elephant trade and trafficking, and what the Thailand government is actually doing on the ground to implement the policy.

Here you go =

Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand shared Tossaporn Klunkaew's photo.

Saturday

This is one of the government facilities holding some of our confiscated animals, in Ratchaburi. They claim they take very good care of the animals? Numerous supporters have visited but have been closely shadowed by the staff, and some were instructed to delete all their photographs. Seems the DNP have much to hide. There is a picture of Edwin at the gate refusing his entry.

Click on the photo and it open the album with all the other photos

[theseahorse]

Just because the wildlife sanctuaries is owned by Farang, it does not automatically be respected, nor immune from raids.

Farang are not GODS. There are bad Farang as well. Some deal with drug, some underage protitution, some traffic humans, set up casio, some sell animal parts, etc.

And don't change the subject.

Why Wiek had no papers for more than 100 of the 450 animals at his centre?

Edwin is a good and well respected man doing something that Thai's should be doing themselves, sadly most Thai's don't give a dam_n. As for the papers from what I have seen on numerous blogs and videos on the raids, the officials turned up and demanded papers instantly and did not permit them even an hour to try to locate all the paperwork. This is just about retribution nothing else.

This is a very Thai problem that the Thai people should be dealing with, why is it left to a farang to point out problems like this.

When Phuket police raid your car, do they demanded papers instantly and did not permit them even an hour to try to locate all the paperwork?

When Pattaya police raid your bar, do they demanded papers instantly and did not permit them even an hour to try to locate all the paperwork?

When Patpong police raid your bra, do they demanded papers instantly and did not permit them even an hour to try to locate all the paperwork?

They came to check the paperwork for the WFFT's elephants and after spending all day trying to find a problem with the elephants paper work (they didn't) they gave them an hour to produce paper work for over 400 animals and wouldn't except anything on a computer. The following day all the paperwork had been organised and printed out but they refused to even look at it and carried on the raid regardless of all the papers being available to them.

It's a bit like being pulled over and after seeing your cars paperwork is ok, asking to see you homes documents and wanting it instantly.

[silsburyhill]

Although I am very well aware of the way the Thais with a vested interest, their godawful zoos/hugely corrupt trafficking of all manner of wildlife view their and their neighbours' wildlife - baht in the bank, there are many ordinary Thais with refuges for stray animals; witness the Thai woman attempting to feed her numerous rescued stray cats, another dogs, during the recent flooding in Bangkok, who never get a mention on this forum.

Edited March 12, 2012 by silsburyhill

[silsburyhill]

Well, when all's said and done, the animals in the newly posted vid being kept in Weiks' center/'zoo' look a darn sight better off than the poor buggers I've had the misfortune to see in Chiang Mai Zoo, that Bangkok 'safari' zoo with a few flea bitten unkempt creatures shuffling through a few rai of brush, and the godawful Phuket zoo on Phuket. Not to mention the obviously distressed elephants chained at ever 'tourist' venue here.

I blame the 'government/s'. For everything.

[luckyman]

Just because the wildlife sanctuaries is owned by Farang, it does not automatically be respected, nor immune from raids.

Farang are not GODS. There are bad Farang as well. Some deal with drug, some underage protitution, some traffic humans, set up casio, some sell animal parts, etc.

And don't change the subject.

Why Wiek had no papers for more than 100 of the 450 animals at his centre?

Nice post, albeit a bit off topic.

Regarding your query:

The reason why Edwin Wiek's wife went into prison for a night, was that she could not produce the documents for 100 animals out of a total of 480 within a few hours only.

She still had to print them all out as she had the papers on computer file only, of course she should have these present at all times printed out and ready to show any official, whenever needed.

The second mistake Mr. Wiek made, is that he personally attacked Thailand's DNP chief on tv and in local media. He should have used a 'middle-man' preferably Thai native, for obvious reasons.

Third, before he accused a local big guy, he should have gathered forensic evidence, a picture maybe or a video in order to prove his accusation and in order to give the DNP something they can work with. It was his word against theirs.

Although Lek and Edwin do really fantastic work for many years already, they both know what country they live in and to what standards the politicians and other people in power live by and speaking up against them is not always the smartest thing to do.

That's Thailand.

[luckyman]

100 years ago, 100.000 wild elephants roamed the forests and plains of Thailand, today there are a little less than 3000 left.

This is still a lot compared to Cambodia and Vietnam, where wild elephants remain in the hundreds only.

In fact, it was in the news recently, that the Rhino in Vietnam is as of now, beginning of 2012, definitely extinct.

Animal preservation in a Third World country, be it in Asia or in Africa, is a lost cause, my grand children will read one day that there are no wild elephants, lions and tigers anymore....

[Bakseedaa]

Thais and the salience of environmental issues in Thailand are a source of great reassurance in the face of the environmental onslaught countries like Vietnam and China are experiencing. If there are any large wild animals left in Southeast Asia, they may well be found in Thailand. The country is obviously a transit point for trafficking of all kinds but, in general, one admirable trait of Thais is that they do not condone the murder of animals (see most of Bangkok's dogs, maimed though they may be, for proof of the fact that few try to actually kill the animals).

Are you joking... where there is money to be made from those dogs.. the money will always come first.... its always about money in Thailand... tax-free illegal money tastes so sweet to those with sweet tooth... Money is the only thing Thai people care about... well, 99% of them.... and the other 1% are blind, deaf and dumb...

[Bakeman]

Unfortunately money does make the world go around but natural resources are limited. We should protect the under dog (elephant). Pay for a DNA identity system and eliminate the doubts surrounding the operations of the money mongers.

[Johpa]

There is nothing new here. Once you had paid your way into the position of National Parks Chief then there are fewer ways to get a return on your investment compared to say purchasing a high position in the Police or military. It is all in the book by Achaan Pasuk et al: Guns, Girls, Gambling, Ganja: Thailand's Illegal Economy and Public Policy which was published over a decade ago. And the heavy hiting response to Mr. Wiek could have been easily predicted if one had read the expat bible for understanding the concept of and use of power in Thai culture, Niels Muldar's Everyday Life in Thailand. Anyone who confronts Thais in power directly is asking for trouble. As a foreigner, Wiek should have found a better Thai phu yai to advance his cause.

[csolgosz]

Thais don't condone the killing of animals unless there's money to be made. Killing stray dogs won't make anybody rich.

Thais and the salience of environmental issues in Thailand are a source of great reassurance in the face of the environmental onslaught countries like Vietnam and China are experiencing. If there are any large wild animals left in Southeast Asia, they may well be found in Thailand. The country is obviously a transit point for trafficking of all kinds but, in general, one admirable trait of Thais is that they do not condone the murder of animals (see most of Bangkok's dogs, maimed though they may be, for proof of the fact that few try to actually kill the animals).

"Unless there is money to be made..." Says it all. I met an Issan girl last week who told me she has often eaten elephant, and was amused that I was shocked... I bet there are more of them killed than anyone could ever guess.