Thailand crack down ivory trade

BANGKOK, July 7 (TNA) - Thai police continue a crackdown on illegal ivory trade and smuggling after Thailand’s status was upgraded by CITIES last year. Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Chalermkiart Srivorakhan chaired a meeting of a sub-committee, overseeing ivory crackdown operation on Friday, attended by representatives from the national Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, the Customs Department, the Airports of Thailand PLC and other related agencies. Thailand’s status on illegal ivory trade was upgraded from “Primary Concern” to “Secondary Concern” by the international Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) late last year. Pol Gen Chalermkiart said, however, Thailand remains a transit for ivory smuggling and there are red zones in 11 provinces where ivory is used as accessories. The police investigation found some 3-4 groups in the country are involved in the ivory trade. The Thai authorities have worked closely with embassies of the countries of origins and will speed up to quell the illegal trade and smuggling of ivory, he said. Pol Gen Chalermkiart added he was confident that Thailand’s status will be upgraded again at the end of this year. In 2016, Thailand seized almost 400 kgs of ivory tusks and about 334 kg was confiscated from January to June this year. (TNA)