Thai authorities seize large lot of smuggled ivory items

NONG KHAI, THAILAND, August 5 (TNA) - Customs authorities have seized a large lot of smuggled ivory products, totally worth five million baht, in Nong Khai Province in the Thai Northeast. Chief of Nong Khai's customs office Atsani Ruengboon, Chief of the province's wildlife checkpoint Chalit Leetrakoon and other customs officers, held a joint press conference on Wednesday to announce the seizure earlier in the day. The Thai authorities reported that the ivory products, including carved ivory jewelleries and ornaments, weighing seven kilograms and worth about 5 million baht in total, were hidden in a minibus arriving from Lao PDR through the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai's Muang District. The Thai authorities said nobody has claimed ownership of the confiscated ivory items so far. The chief of Nong Khai's wildlife checkpoint revealed an initial examination found that the ivory items are real and they will be sent to the Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation in Bangkok for DNA tests to identify the origins whether they are Asian or African elephant tusks. (TNA)