Thai Cabinet nods for incineration of seized ivory tusks

BANGKOK, March 31 (TNA) - The Thai Cabinet has approved the incineration of five tons of seized ivory tusks to comply with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Thai Natural Resources and Environment Minister General Dapong Ratanasuwan told journalists on Tuesday that the Cabinet made the decision at its recent meeting in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, as proposed by his ministry. General Dapong explained that, under the resolution, the Cabinet lifted its previous ban on the incineration of seized ivory tusks and, instead, permitted the elimination of the illegally traded tusks, the cases of which were finalized and parts of the tusks were rotting. The minister said that CITES also allows the return of seized ivory tusks to their countries of origin, mostly those in Africa, but by that means, the tusks could re-enter illicit trade. According to the minister, the five tons to be burnt in the environmentally-friendly high-temperature incineration system are part of 12 tons of ivory tusks, worth 600 million baht, seized for illicit trade. The minister revealed that Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha plans to keep some of the seized ivory tusks in local museums for their value and public education. (TNA)