Thailand increases seizures of illegal ivory
Thailand has stepped up efforts to suppress illegal elephant ivory trade, with nearly 500 pieces weighing around 335 kilograms seized during the first half of this year.
Last year, the natural resources and environmental crimes suppression police seized 99 tusks weighing nearly 400 kilograms seized in total.
Pol Gen Chamlermkiat Srivorakhan, acting director of the Royal Police natural resources and environmental crimes suppression centre, said Thailand has been a transit country. Ships containing ivory illegally smuggled from elsewhere are often intercepted along Thailand’s long coasts.
His centre has been keeping a close watch on 11 spots where ivory is processed and on sale, to see whether illegally smuggled ivory is present.
Thailand hopes to get an improved assessment under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which gives importance to suppression against illegal ivory trade.