Police call off reenactment of deadly elephant tusk theft

[Lite Beer]

Police call off reenactment of deadly elephant tusk theft

AYUTTHAYA: -- The police have to call off the reenactment of the elephant tusk theft in Ayutthaya after mahouts brought their elephants to watch the reenactment of the crime, and showed sign to lynch the suspects.

Police said they have so far arrested three suspects accused of fatally poisoning ‘Plai Khlao’, an elephant in the Ayuthaya Royal Elephant Kraal (Wang Chang Ayuthaya Lae Paniad) on July 11.

The three men had previously been arrested for poisoning a tiger at Bueng Chawak swamp in Suphanburi, police said.

Police put off the re-enactment of the fatal poisoning and then cutting off the tusk of a 50 year old bull elephant fearing that the suspects would be lynched by mahouts accompanied by a large herd of elephants and elephant lovers.

The men identified as Panya, Naronglit Sri Chaemdee and Manot Dokmai Khao had to be put under police protective custody to ensure their safety.

Early Thursday police were able to arrest Panya and Manot in Suphanburi province. Following that, Panya led authorities to the spot in a grove wood close to their homes in Suphanburi where the men had concealed the tusks. Naronglit was finally arrested in Rayong province attempting to evade arrest.

Panya admitted to being the leader of the trio who made the choice to select ‘Plai Khao’ and was also the person who did the actual poisoning. Manot was the man responsible for cutting off the animal’s tusks while Naronglit served as the driver.

Panya, the 60 year old suspect, also has a record of having poisoned a tiger in Bueng Chawak zoo on May 22, 2010 and sell, ng the carcass to traders.

Police General Chalermkiat Sriworakharn, police inspector-general, said Panya was a well- known wildlife trader and has close connections to underground wildlife traders in the country.

He stated that after the incident, Panya had travelled to his home in Suphanburi to evade arrest. The suspect admitted that the tusks were not able to be sold as police attention was high and he had to keep a low profile.

One pair of elephant tusks can fetch as much as one million baht on the underground ivory market.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/police-call-reenactment-deadly-elephant-tusk-theft/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=police-call-reenactment-deadly-elephant-tusk-theft

-- Thai PBS 2014-07-17

[tominbkk]

Gross people. Please poison them and as they are dying cut off pieces of their bodies.

[UbonRatch]

Re-enacting an elephant tusk removal???

There was once a young red-wood tree,

They now can no longer see.

It fell in the night

Under bright starry light;

And now they want to re-see - how it was cut down. Baa Humbug!

Edited July 17, 2014 by UbonRatch

[rkidlad]

Yea, there is a big chance they'll be lynched.

Some might say that reenactments serve zero purpose and are moronic.

Not me though.

[nottocus]

Don'r really get the big deal. It's an elephant.

[ClutchClark]

Don'r really get the big deal. It's an elephant.

What an unfortunate life you live.

[taony]

They should have canceled it because its stupid.

-*I typed this myself*-

[Getyourfactsright]

Bloody glad they got them and on the original post to all those who were quick to blame the mahouts I say to you DO one

[sweatalot]

Don'r really get the big deal. It's an elephant.

What an unfortunate life you live.

Why's that? U actually care about some elephant? That's unfortunate.

Do not fall prey to this troll

Do not feed it !

[jaltsc]

"... fearing that the suspects would be lynched ..."

And the problem with that is ???

Edited July 17, 2014 by jaltsc

[BSJ]

Lets hope that Panya gets the longest stretch the law allows....and the other 2 get several years.

[Oziex1]

They were previously arrested for poisoning a tiger, then what happened?

[Paulzed]

"Police General Chalermkiat Sriworakharn, police inspector-general, said Panya was a well- known wildlife trader and has close connections to underground wildlife traders in the country."

So just give him another stern warning and send him on his way so he can continue his well-known wildlife trading un hindered

[klauskunkel]

The men identified as Panya, Naronglit Sri Chaemdee and Manot Dokmai Khao had to be put under police protective custody to ensure their safety

...,because they are an endangered species?

[WhizBang]

The sooner the practice of reenactments is stopped completely, the better. It has to be one of the most stupid and moronic practices I have ever heard of. It should in fact be illegal, as it is prejudicial to the defence.

[thaiguzzi]

Don'r really get the big deal. It's an elephant.

So when you are poisoned and dead, we can hopefully say "don'r really get the big deal. It's only nottocus".

[anon467367354]

They were previously arrested for poisoning a tiger, then what happened?

That's a very good question.

[Artisi]

They were previously arrested for poisoning a tiger, then what happened?

very little by the look of it.

[Artisi]

Don'r really get the big deal. It's an elephant.

So when you are poisoned and dead, we can hopefully say "don'r really get the big deal. It's only nottocus".

nottocus - what < delete> is a nottocus?

Edited July 18, 2014 by Artisi

[aussieinthailand]

They were previously arrested for poisoning a tiger, then what happened?

the right amount of cash given to the right person maybe???

[IMA_FARANG]

According to an article in the Bangkok Post newspaper this morning the reason the re-enactment was canceled was because the locals found out it was going to happen and threatened to attack the suspects at that event.

Apparently this elephant that was killed was a well known and popular fixture in the area, and the locals are rather unhappy with the suspects for killing him.

According to the newspaper, that was the reason the police canceled the re-enactment. Seems they feared a riot if the suspects were shown.

[jimbeam1]

I saw something about this on the news this morning. The mob was very aggitated, the Elephants even more so. A dangerous situation just waiting to happen.

Congratulations to Thailands finest?? They looked totally lost.

jb1

[csabo]

The sooner the practice of reenactments is stopped completely, the better. It has to be one of the most stupid and moronic practices I have ever heard of. It should in fact be illegal, as it is prejudicial to the defence.

Confessions are prejudicial to the defense also. Should they be illegal as well?