WWF launches Thai campaign to save elephants

[webfact]

WWF launches Thai campaign to save elephants
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Several entertainment and media celebrities have joined the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)'s "Chor Chaang Saving Elephants" campaign against the trade in ivory by removing the Thai letter "chor chaang" from their names.

"Chaang" stands for elephant in Thai, and "chor chaang" is a common letter in the Thai alphabet.

While Thailand has an ancient affinity with elephants, it is also the world's second-largest unregulated ivory market - after China. WWF estimates that more than 20,000 African elephants are slain every year for ivory and that Thailand is the end destination for much of this ivory.

"As long as there is demand for ivory, all elephants are at risk," said Janpai Ongsiriwittaya, Wildlife Trade Campaign Manager for WWF-Thailand.

WWF is inviting all Thais to join the campaign by removing or hiding the "chor chaang" letter from their names, places, signboards, etc, then posting a photo of it on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter accounts with #ChorChaang #wwfthailand to show their support.

Nation TV, ThaiRath TV and their reporters have joined the campaign by removing the "chor chaang" letter from the names of their news anchors, TV show titles and on social media.

Celebrities such as Thapanee Eadsrichai, Noppatjak Attanon, Suthichai Yoon, Thepchai Yong; Abhisit Vejjajiva; Chalit Nakpawan; Kalamare Patcharasri, Manoch Puttal, Jiranan Pitpreecha, Chalermchatri Yukol and Messi J Chanathip have all joined the effort.

"Every thought and every effort matters when it comes to putting an end to this illicit trade. I encourage people to join this campaign and speak out against killing elephants, pledge to never buy, sell or use products made from ivory," Janpai Ongsiriwittaya said.

Thailand has until Thursday to submit a progress report under the National Ivory Action Plan, which was submitted to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) on September 30, 2014. It then has until March 31 to implement the action plan to reduce or eliminate ivory trade or risk sanctions that would hit trade in products from other CITES-listed species, such as orchids and crocodile skin, costing Thai industries over $297 million (Bt9.77 billion) in lost revenue annually, WWF said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/WWF-launches-Thai-campaign-to-save-elephants-30251769.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-13

[The stuttering parrot]

Good on them any little thing to highlight is a step forward.

However only a complete ban with severe fines and jail will hopefully stifle this abhorrent trade.

It's now 2015 time to wake up if it's not to late already.

[daoyai]

A symbolic move, NOW let's see if it is followed by significant action, Thailand excells in symbolism, the other,....not so much and China? forget it.

[Katipo]

Good on them any little thing to highlight is a step forward.

However only a complete ban with severe fines and jail will hopefully stifle this abhorrent trade.

It's now 2015 time to wake up if it's not to late already.

Personally I think the death penalty for anyone directly involved in the trade... from the hunters, to the middlemen, and finally the customers. We just don't need these people in this already over populated world. Same should go for anyone involved in the trade of any endangered species.

[rickirs]

"Thailand has until Thursday to submit a progress report under the National Ivory Action Plan"

Anyone notice how many "reports" Thailand has to make to various international monitors of its activities? This report due to the NIAP is like the 5th report due - all potentially impacting Thailand's economy. Gen. Prayuth is apparently not getting his message across effectively that Thailand must be "understood." Considerig his slow and faltering progress on returning Thailand to democracy (and that probably requires another report), the international community may care less about the nation's welfare.

[HerbalEd]

Good on them any little thing to highlight is a step forward.

However only a complete ban with severe fines and jail will hopefully stifle this abhorrent trade.

It's now 2015 time to wake up if it's not to late already.

Personally I think the death penalty for anyone directly involved in the trade... from the hunters, to the middlemen, and finally the customers. We just don't need these people in this already over populated world. Same should go for anyone involved in the trade of any endangered species.

Does your death penalty apply to shark fins also? Or endangered plant species?

[Katipo]

Good on them any little thing to highlight is a step forward.

However only a complete ban with severe fines and jail will hopefully stifle this abhorrent trade.

It's now 2015 time to wake up if it's not to late already.

Personally I think the death penalty for anyone directly involved in the trade... from the hunters, to the middlemen, and finally the customers. We just don't need these people in this already over populated world. Same should go for anyone involved in the trade of any endangered species.

Does your death penalty apply to shark fins also? Or endangered plant species?

Sharks... sure, if they are on the endangered species list, why not.

I am not aware of the trade in any endangered species of plant life. I would assume if they had value we would just grow more of them. If you are referring to deforestisation, yes, there should also be strong laws in place to protect the natural habitats of bird and plant life, especially when it affects endangered animal life.

[DLock]

Whenever I see the "WWF launches campaign to save the elephants", I always think Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker or The Big Show is going to do something about it...which would probably be much more effective than this pathetic little symbolic effort.

Get serious Thailand. You are a major smuggling and trading hub. It's been shown time and time again, yet you fail in your worldwide duty.

Make the penalties matter. Jail and fines regardless of who the players are.

The clock is ticking and there is only so many animals left. The point of no return is not far away.

[Papayabokbok]

Good Luck to anyone OTHER than a THAI on trying to change them--sway them--or offer helpful advice..

I say just let that Big one at the Park loose and let him extract a little sweet vengance..

AVENGE ME!!!!! Dumbo???