Bill to tighten up control of ivory trading passes the NLA

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly overwhelmingly voted to pass into law the ivory trade bill which seeks to tighten control over trade in and ownership of ivory tusks.

The bill requires individuals who want to engage in ivory trading and who own ivory tusks not for commercial purpose to apply for registration with the director-general of national parks, wildlife and plants.

Violators are subjected to a maximum imprisonment of three years and/or a fine of not exceeding six million baht.

Also, the NLA approved the wildlife conservation and protection bill which seeks to ban imports and exports of conserved and protected species, carcasses of protected species, products made of carcasses with the exception of species which were locally bred.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bill-tighten-control-ivory-trading-passes-nla

-- Thai PBS 2014-11-22

Hope it helps? I see a lot of poaching going on in these parks.

The way the species has been wiped out over the years and the way they are still being slaughtered for their ivory I hardly think this bill goes anywhere near being tough enough.

Up the minimum time to 20 years and maybe then they might take notice but greed is a great motivator .

Man has a lot to answer for treating animals and mammals the way he does.

"Also, the NLA approved the wildlife conservation and protection bill which seeks to ban imports and exports of conserved and protected species, carcasses of protected species, products made of carcasses with the exception of species which were locally bred."

There is a big difference to a tightening up rules to a ban, Thailand in quite a few area's is out of step with the international community and this is one of them , why can't Thailand introduce a ban on this hideous trade , whilst this is in place the UN , US and others will just keep bringing to the attention of the world the inhuman practice of killing a nearly extinct beautiful animal, placing money ahead of responsibilities to protect the Elephant is in any religion, blasphemous .

There is a big difference to a tightening up rules to a ban, Thailand in quite a few area's is out of step with the international community and this is one of them , why can't Thailand introduce a ban on this hideous trade , whilst this is in place the UN , US and others will just keep bringing to the attention of the world the inhuman practice of killing a nearly extinct beautiful animal, placing money ahead of responsibilities to protect the Elephant is in any religion, blasphemous .

Thailand, as does China, have a love of ivory....new regulations overseeing the management of ivory will have zero effect........as previous posters have mentioned, only by totally banning any form of ivory trade....especially including locally bred, will there be a modicum of control.

But....when most of the lawmakers would have at least a pair of tusks, or ivory ornaments, in their homes....nothing will change.

The Chinese market has upped the ante for ivory, and in doing so, has caused massive degredation of elephant populations throughout Africa.........they simply don't care........and so follow the Thais......they don't care either!

Ivory trade bill passes final reading with harsher punishments

BANGKOK, 21 November 2014 (NNT) – The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has granted final approval to the ivory trade bill, which has been equipped with heavier punishments for effective enforcement.

During its third reading, the ivory trade bill was given the green light by NLA members on a unanimous vote of 169 with 4 abstentions, allowing it to be enacted into law. The bill, which contains a total of 21 sections, had undergone a series of amendments in the second reading, especially on its penalties against perpetrators of ivory trade, export, import and trafficking. Those committing such crime would now be subject to a prison term of up to three years and/or a fine of up to 6 million baht, as opposed to the previous punishment of a one-year jail term and/or a 2-million-baht fine.

Moreover, the 5,000-baht fee applied to each license for exporting, importing and trafficking ivory was increased to 50,000 baht. The amendment committee also proposed that the draft law be renamed so as to cover the possession of ivory and any related transactions besides trading.

Another suggestion was made to have the Department of Administration include the DNA of each domesticated elephant into its identification document in order to prevent owners from keeping wild elephants illegally under other elephants’ names.

The NLA members voiced support for all the proposals and agreed to leave them to the Cabinet’s discretion.

-- NNT 2014-11-22

"include the DNA of each domesticated elephant into its identification document in order to prevent owners from keeping wild elephants illegally under other elephants’ names."

How many elephants you got?

Only 2, sir.

What's that one's name?

Dumbo, sir.

What's that one's name?

Dumbo, sir.

Oh! All seems to be in order. Carry on as you were.

Thanks, Dumbo.

And they're tightening. The Thais are doing it all.