Standoff at Tiger Temple ends with bears removed to new house in Chonburi

[Lite Beer]

Standoff at Tiger Temple ends with bears removed to new house in Chonburi

BANGKOK: -- Standoff at Tiger Temple ends with bears removed to new house in ChonburiStandoff at Tiger Temple ends with bears removed to new house in Chonburi

After almost 24-hour standoff at the Tiger Temple in Saiyok district of Kanchanaburi between about 200 protesting monks, novices, local residents, and some 600 authorities, six Asian black bears were finally removed from the temple to their new sanctuary in Chonburi late today.

The mission to remove the Asian black or Moon bears from the Tiger Temple was ordered by the director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, after authorities tried desperately to negotiate the temple abbot to allow park officials to take the six bears in cages out of the temple compound.

The monks and authorities confronted each other at the main gate of the temple overnight with the bears in cage on the truck since Thursday night.

Earlier today, the entrance into the animal grounds remained under siege by almost 200 monks and novices who tried to obstruct authorities gaining entry into temple grounds. An announcement was shouted out on a loudspeaker by the abbot, Phra Wisuthisarn Thera for the monks and novices to sit down on the ground and should authorities attempt to move them by force they were not to put up a fight but to instead prostrate themselves.

The abbot insisted that the bears must not be taken out.

He also questioned why authorities want to take the bears when in fact they have been raised by the temple for over a decade and none of the authorities would ever come to visit and take care of the health of the beasts.

He declared he was ready to die if the bears were taken out.

However after all efforts failed to convince the abbot to release the truck though court warrant was shown to him they have authority, the abbot didn’t listen.

A rescue mission was later plotted.

A huge crane was moved in by the side wall of the temple awaiting an order to begin the rescue operation.

Meanwhile in front of the temple, a park official jumped on board the blocked truck to take over the wheel. He then put on reverse gear and slowly moved backward into the temple while in front of him the combined force of police, soldiers, and park officials formed a human wall to obstruct the protesting monks, novices and supporters to follow.

As the truck moved closer to the wall where the crane was waiting, order to lift the cages were then given.

However it was not an easy job to lift the cages as the wall was six metres high with bulwarks on the crests and protesting monks, novices and supporters shouting and cursing the operation.

However the mission was accomplished in just 15 minutes with all the six bears moved out from the temple grounds onto a lorry that was parked on the outside.

The standoff was over.

But authorities said they would still continue to inspect the temple looking for illegally captured animals and the missing tigers.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/standoff-at-tiger-temple-ends-with-bears-removed-to-new-house-in-chonburi

-- Thai PBS 2015-04-03

[Rhys]

hmmmm... good intentions misguided...

[JOC]

And of course the abbot was arrested!!

Oh, silly me. This is the country of no consequences if breaking the law!!

[JOC]

A mob wearing saffron robes!!

A disgrace for Buddhism..................

[JOC]

>>Earlier today, the entrance into the animal grounds remained under siege by almost 200 monks and novices who tried to obstruct authorities gaining entry into temple grounds<< Quote

Defrock the whole bunch!!

[geriatrickid]

The director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is a true hero, braving threats and intimidation to carry out his responsibilities. All of the workers who assisted are to be commended. Is it any wonder why many Thais just say F-it and go with the flow, when confronted with unbridled greed and corruption?

[Tokay]

200 monks who making a decent living exploiting the bears.

As usual, Buddhism is no where to be found.

[winstonc]

The director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is a true hero, braving threats and intimidation to carry out his responsibilities. All of the workers who assisted are to be commended. Is it any wonder why many Thais just say F-it and go with the flow, when confronted with unbridled greed and corruption?

hes not a hero hes doing a job hes paid to do about time.......what about the 146 tigersin there..take them to i say ..

[geriatrickid]

The director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is a true hero, braving threats and intimidation to carry out his responsibilities. All of the workers who assisted are to be commended. Is it any wonder why many Thais just say F-it and go with the flow, when confronted with unbridled greed and corruption?

hes not a hero hes doing a job hes paid to do about time.......what about the 146 tigersin there..take them to i say ..

Do you have any idea how hard it must have been for him? He has to deal with threats of bodily harm and a complete lack of co-operation from a mob of locals.

All this was done without any strong support from the military. Think about it. It is the same reason why honest government officials who tries to take on the corrupt Phuket mobsters don't last long. It isn't in the director general's job description to take threats to the personal safety of his family and his employees. What you should be asking is where the F was the army and why the abbott and his organized crime syndicate have not been arrested.

[JOC]

Just to illustrate how well the "holy brothers" take care of their animals!!

Picture is from a temple in Prachuap, (And yes it is a bear)

And those people call themselves for Buddhist!!

[JoeLing]

And of course the abbot was arrested!!

Oh, silly me. This is the country of no consequences if breaking the law!!

Naaa, why should they?

Before they arrest him, they invite him to come to the police station next week

for mutual clarification talks.

Although the monk wouldn't have time to go anyway, he's too busy preparing

his own funeral arrangements as the bears have gone now.

Quote: "He declared he was ready to die if the bears were taken out."

So, wish the abbot happy reincarnation and hopefully he comes back as a bear.

Edited April 3, 2015 by JoeLing

[Lite Beer]

Cranes help lift bears out of Tiger Temple
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- FOREST RANGERS and wildlife protection officials yesterday retrieved six moon bears - a protected species - from dens at a famous temple in Kanchanaburi known to tourists as the Tiger Temple, despite resistance by resident monks and their followers.

The animals were sedated before being hoisted by a crane onto trucks carrying cages and taken away unbeknown to the many protesters, who had blocked the temple's entrance.

The bears are now at a wildlife breeding facility in Chon Buri's Bang Lamung district.

Action will also be taken in response to 143 or 146 Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation-registered Bengal tigers being kept at the same temple, Wat Pa Luangta Maha Bua, which also serves as a zoo, said senior department official Kraiwut Iamnont.

After the dramatic retrieval of the bears, which was carried out by a 400-strong team made up of department staff, police and soldiers, a petition was filed with local police accusing people of keeping a protected species without permission.

No forestry or department officials discussed what action will be taken in the case of the tigers.

A large number of monks and followers began their blockade at the temple's entrance a few days ago in a bid to prevent forest rangers and wildlife protection officials entering the premise.

Entry to the temple was achieved after officials distracted protesters by pretending to negotiate with them so that a rescue team could sneak intrucks carrying cages and sedate the bears.

Bears stuck in cages for many hours

Another rescue team hoisted the animals onto the trucks and they were put in the cages and both teams drove away. But it took many hours before the bears could be lifted out in their cages.

Kraiwut said an investigation would begin to determine the exact number of tigers at Wat Pa Luangta Maha Bua, after a vet who monitored the tigers, Somchai Wisetmongkholchai, recently said three tigers were stolen from the temple.

A department source said Kanchanaburi authorities would seek the cooperation of the temple over measures to inspect the tigers, which had microchips embedded under their skin to verify their status as being registered with the department.

The department will wait for the temple's response before taking action, the source said.

The temple houses many types of unprotected animals.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Cranes-help-lift-bears-out-of-Tiger-Temple-30257392.html

-- The Nation 2015-04-04

[MaiChai]

What has Buddhism got to do with keeping tigers and bears?

[thesetat2013]

What has Buddhism got to do with keeping tigers and bears?

Money of course! They make a fortune exploiting these animals and it was suggested that they also provide a black market in selling these to the Chinese. Buddhism is not about religion so much anymore here. It is about money.

[Lite Beer]

Once again, the Tiger Temple is making headlines. Wildlife officials made an attempt to rescue six black bears from cages in the temple. Officials were stopped by about 100 monks and disciples. The group blocked the gates to prevent the officials from leaving the property. The black bears are said to have been illegally possessed by the temple.

About 70 police, military officers, veterinarians and DNP (Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation) officials raided the temple on Thursday. Armed with a warrant, the team examined the bears they discovered in cages just one day earlier.

The temple failed to provide official documentation for the bears. The temple staff refused to open the cages that were housing the illegal bears. Officials shot the bears with anesthetic darts and used cutting tools to open the cages.

The temple’s abbot, Phra Vissuthisaradhera, then led a group of about 100 monks, disciples and staff to the main gate, preventing officials from leaving. The standoff continued until 1 am, and several people joined the monks in the protest. Officials sought to mediate the situation, but were unable to come to a resolution. There is still no word as to whether the bears were rescued or remained at the temple.

Source: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814628-tiger-temple-monks-protest-the-rescue-of-illegal-bears/

-- © thaivisa.com 2015-04-03

[daoyai]

Why use that photo? is that the temple in the story? is that even Thailand? also, the story about Indo fishing slaves has a photo of Koh Lam what is going on here?

[sjjmmi]

This is in Thailand ????

[BSJ]

The head monk Phra Wisuthisarn Thera should be under the screws of the police special branch....or whatever they call it.

[casualbiker]

The director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is a true hero, braving threats and intimidation to carry out his responsibilities. All of the workers who assisted are to be commended. Is it any wonder why many Thais just say F-it and go with the flow, when confronted with unbridled greed and corruption?

hes not a hero hes doing a job hes paid to do about time.......what about the 146 tigersin there..take them to i say ..

Do you have any idea how hard it must have been for him? He has to deal with threats of bodily harm and a complete lack of co-operation from a mob of locals.

All this was done without any strong support from the military. Think about it. It is the same reason why honest government officials who tries to take on the corrupt Phuket mobsters don't last long. It isn't in the director general's job description to take threats to the personal safety of his family and his employees. What you should be asking is where the F was the army and why the abbott and his organized crime syndicate have not been arrested.

In the OP it states " some 600 authorities" and " combined force of police, soldiers, and park officials "

Also the truck was an army truck.. They were there!

As to why the Abbot and monks haven't been arrested... That's because they are monks!

[Bluespunk]

"He declared he was ready to die if the bears were taken out."

Go for it.

[Borzandy]

In Chonburi, the bears will be exploited too.....but, not by monks.

[Oziex1]

This is in Thailand ????

Taktsang Dzong (Tiger's Nest Monastery) – Paro, Bhutan

Found in Google images

[Oziex1]

This is in Thailand ????

No it's in Bhutan called the Tigers Nest Monastery.

[Oziex1]

Why use that photo? is that the temple in the story? is that even Thailand? also, the story about Indo fishing slaves has a photo of Koh Lam what is going on here?

Using Google images without a second check if it is correct or not. In my opinion.

[casualbiker]

In Chonburi, the bears will be exploited too.....but, not by monks.

And you know this for sure.. How?

[NeilSA1]

Why didn't they use a water cannon - infused with lots of salt.

That would have moved the peaceful monks, plus given them lots of face.

[Gandtee]

I am contemplating robbing a bank. If I get caught I don't want to go to Jail. Can anyone tell me where I can buy some saffron robes?

[geriatrickid]

The director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is a true hero, braving threats and intimidation to carry out his responsibilities. All of the workers who assisted are to be commended. Is it any wonder why many Thais just say F-it and go with the flow, when confronted with unbridled greed and corruption?

hes not a hero hes doing a job hes paid to do about time.......what about the 146 tigersin there..take them to i say ..

Do you have any idea how hard it must have been for him? He has to deal with threats of bodily harm and a complete lack of co-operation from a mob of locals.

All this was done without any strong support from the military. Think about it. It is the same reason why honest government officials who tries to take on the corrupt Phuket mobsters don't last long. It isn't in the director general's job description to take threats to the personal safety of his family and his employees. What you should be asking is where the F was the army and why the abbott and his organized crime syndicate have not been arrested.

In the OP it states " some 600 authorities" and " combined force of police, soldiers, and park officials "

Also the truck was an army truck.. They were there!

As to why the Abbot and monks haven't been arrested... That's because they are monks!

Did you watch the news" Forestry department vehicles which do look like military vehicles. Almost all front line people were police, ministry of resources, forestry, national parks, and ranger units. The operation required military permission, but the failure to arrest monks engaging in disorderly illegal behaviour was entirely the military commander's decision.

[casualbiker]

The director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is a true hero, braving threats and intimidation to carry out his responsibilities. All of the workers who assisted are to be commended. Is it any wonder why many Thais just say F-it and go with the flow, when confronted with unbridled greed and corruption?

hes not a hero hes doing a job hes paid to do about time.......what about the 146 tigersin there..take them to i say ..

Do you have any idea how hard it must have been for him? He has to deal with threats of bodily harm and a complete lack of co-operation from a mob of locals.

All this was done without any strong support from the military. Think about it. It is the same reason why honest government officials who tries to take on the corrupt Phuket mobsters don't last long. It isn't in the director general's job description to take threats to the personal safety of his family and his employees. What you should be asking is where the F was the army and why the abbott and his organized crime syndicate have not been arrested.

In the OP it states " some 600 authorities" and " combined force of police, soldiers, and park officials "

Also the truck was an army truck.. They were there!

As to why the Abbot and monks haven't been arrested... That's because they are monks!

Did you watch the news" Forestry department vehicles which do look like military vehicles. Almost all front line people were police, ministry of resources, forestry, national parks, and ranger units. The operation required military permission, but the failure to arrest monks engaging in disorderly illegal behaviour was entirely the military commander's decision.

I don't watch Fox news. Sorry!

And let's face it even if ALL front line people HAD been Army you would then have been complaining that the army were stepping in where they are not wanted!!!!

It's only the Abbot that needs detaining, the rest are just following orders!

[Farang99]

But still no resolution of the missing tigers,nor investigation of the legality of all the remaining tigers - nor will there be as long as the police and military are unwilling to confront monks.