Actors and activists join hands to ban ivory trade | Bangkok Post: news

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Campaigns against ivory trade gather pace

Thai and foreign actors and activists are building up pressure on Thailand to its part in the world ivory trade which, they say, puts elephants in Africa in danger of extinction.

Leonardo DiCaprio has called on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to implement a total ban on the ivory trade in Thailand.

Speaking at the launch of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) "Hands Off My Parts" campaign in Washington, the 38-year-old star of Titanic demanded that the Thai government ban all ivory trade.

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  • sirron

    Discussion 4 : 20 Feb 2013 at 11.044

    Living in rural Surin I'm familiar with a Moo Ban where many people basically make their living raising and training domestic elephants. Visitors come from all over to see the shows and there is a famous "Elephant Fair" once a year in Surin town, the Capital of Changwat Surin. The cost of raising and feeding elephants is no small matter and not subsidized by the government. The mahouts and the Moo Ban make some money from selling small ivory trinkets made from bone and tusks of elephants that get old or sick and die. You don't see anyone around here abusing or getting rich from domestic ivory trade. Further the few wild elephants that live in forests or parks like Kao Yai are protected and no poaching exists like in Africa. If there is a problem with African and Thai ivory being sold interchangeably (side by side) it most likely is Bangkok only. The sale of ivory from Thailand goes back to care for the elephants, which are loved by the people around here.
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  • The Dark Side

    ThailandPost : 606

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    Discussion 3 : 19 Feb 2013 at 20.393

    "I would like to say that Thailand never allows imports of African elephant ivory," he said. "The ivory that the carvers and traders can use must be from domesticated elephants only."
    Mr Theerapat declined to support the ban demanded by activists, saying that use of some elephant parts are part of Thai culture and state officials will do their best to control the related business.

    This guy could not or would not ever distinguish an african elephant tusk from a local tusk. This is Thailand and everything in this fairy tail land it is all about money. I get money I see nothing! What about the recent rhino horns being smuggled?

  • nitnoi

    United StatesPost : 574

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    Discussion 2 : 19 Feb 2013 at 20.282

    Is there way to prove whether ivory from dometicated or wild elephants.Do some compounds in Ivory are different bet. these two? Chinese emperor used ivory chopstick to prove if his food was poisoned .Even domsticated elephants's tusks should be left alone.You don't impress friend with pair of ivory tusks displayed at your house.They look better on elephants.Period.

  • robins

    ThailandPost : 689

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    Discussion 1 : 19 Feb 2013 at 20.181

    This ban seems like a no brainer. Could there be any reason whatsoever the Government would want to allow this disgusting trade to continue? I hope the ban is announced soon.

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