Reduction in ivory trade reported

There remain just 339 ivory traders in Thailand after 136 have gone out of business, the Commerce Ministry’s Business Development Department has found.

The lower number of ivory traders reflects the government’s attempt to regulate them stringently, said Chainarong Chochai, deputy director-general of the department and chairman of a subcommittee overseeing public relations on the ivory issue.

He said the department had joined forces with the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department and the Royal Thai Police to pressure ivory traders to register with the Commerce Ministry. This action aims to prevent illegal trading and to protect Thailand from international sanctions.

So far, ivory traders in many areas such as Chatuchak Market, JJ Mall, Royal River Complex, The Old Siam Plaza, Tha Phrachan, and other tourist attractions have already been regulated by the government.

Thailand has been fingered as one of eight countries where illegal trading in ivory and rhino horn is a problem. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has warned that Thailand could face an international wildlife-trade ban unless it reins in its ivory sector, which is a magnet for traffickers. CITES has set a deadline of next March for Thailand to fall into line or risk wide-ranging sanctions.

Thailand needs to submit a report by January on the steps it has taken to bolster laws on registering ivory importers, traders and legal stockpiles. Chainarong said the government had also re-inspected such areas as JJ Mall regularly to ensure there is no illegal ivory trading in the Kingdom. Should any violators be found, they will face the maximum penalties.

The ministry will also launch a campaign to encourage people, including tourists, to stop buying or using ivory for decorative items or other purposes. 

The aim is to continue reducing the number of ivory traders over the long term, he said.

He added that once CITES sees the serious efforts the government has made to eliminate this illegal trade, it will not initiate sanctions that could cause huge losses to the economy.