Cites Meeting In Bangkok. - 40 Years On....

[wilcopops]

in the absence of any eco-forum o this site, I'll post this here.

Today is the start of a major CITES meeting in Bkk at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

Thailand has long been a "hub" (their favourite word) for the illegal trade in animals and their parts, lets see if this time their involvement goes any further than lip-service

Though poaching is a problem it is fuelled by the demand and facilitated by "entrepreneurs" who seek to find others who will supply the goods.

Thailand has a lot to answer for concerning its participation in the illegal trade of flora and fauna........tigers parts, ivory is publicly available in urban markets, and rare species although poaching is a problem it is fuelled by the demand and facilitated by "entrepreneurs" who seek to find others who will supply the goods.

Current minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, was charged with allegedly exporting 100 tigers without the approiate permission - apparently the hearing is on the 22nd April. I wonder, will it be mentioned at the CITES meeting?

Will the country respond appropriately or do they consider simply hosting the meeting exonerates them from any responsibility - like the Convention on Tigers?

.

Edited March 3, 2013 by wilcopops

[wilcopops]

As this article shows, the hosts, Thailand may well come under fire for several reasons.......

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/top-of-the-conference-agenda-the-last-chance-to-save-the-rhino-8513792.html

[SeaVisionBurma]

I know people in this country - wildlife and conservation professionals (one in particular who has been here many years and is very good at his job) - who take these meetings very very seriously, and get a lot of work done regarding the illegal trade in the region.

From talking to these people - they say it is an uphill battle, but they continue to work towards the goal of stopping the wildlife trade. Good luck to them.

[wilcopops]

I know people in this country - wildlife and conservation professionals (one in particular who has been here many years and is very good at his job) - who take these meetings very very seriously, and get a lot of work done regarding the illegal trade in the region.

From talking to these people - they say it is an uphill battle, but they continue to work towards the goal of stopping the wildlife trade. Good luck to them.

I don't really get your point, yes- there ARE people in Thailand trying to do something, sadly they are in a minority and relatively powerless, if the rule of law was more effective and there were actually some laws about conservation and wildlife then the situation might be different - however, their existence does not alter the sad truth that this is a country with a ruling elite where nepotism and corruption are rife and ignorance of conservation issues are prevalent, so it is hardly surprising that trade in illegal flora and fauna in or through Thailand is massively on the increase and real enforcement is either non-existant or bought off.

Despite the assurances of the PM this is a country with virtually NO wildlife or conservation laws and so many "loopholes" as to make them worthless.

Flagrant breaches are common - there are large institutions that are allegedly in breach of CITES with regards to Tiger trading and even a senior member of the govt is awaiting a court hearing/appearance connected to the illegal export of Tigers. Police have been caught hunting in illegal areas, rangers have slaughtered elephants and the ivory trade in Thailand is still LEGAL. Elephants are not protected under conservation laws as they are considered domestic work animals.....dolphins and dugongs are slaughterers and eaten, illegal logging is carried out all around the Thai borders, mangroves are dug up by the acre for building and development and dams threaten vital conservation areas, even after they were shown to be unnecessary, shorelines and islands are rapidly disappearing under concrete..............IMO Thailand needs a radical change of heart.

Edited March 3, 2013 by wilcopops