Bangkok Post
23 February 2013 

CHIANG MAI : Wildlife and plant conservation authorities have vowed to take harsh action against those involved in the illegal ivory trade in Chiang Mai.

Sermyot Sommun, chief of the 16th wildlife protected area management office under the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, yesterday said officials had been sent to inspect shops at popular tourist venues, including the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and Ban Thawai Market, to check if ivory was being sold illegally there.

However, no ivory products were found. Most products sold to tourists at those venues were made of resin, Mr Sermyot said.

He spoke during a meeting with agencies yesterday to regulate shops selling ivory products in Chiang Mai before the 16th Cites conference scheduled in Bangkok next month.

Thailand has become both a transit point and a destination of ivory smuggled from Africa, he said.

Each year, between 10,000-20,000 tonnes of ivory are seized in Thailand, Mr Sermyot said.

This has led the country to be under close watch by Cites and other non-governmental organisations which view Thailand as being a hub for the illegal ivory trade, he added.

Mr Sermyot pledged tough action against businessmen involved in the illicit ivory trade. However, sales of ivory from registered domestic elephants are allowed, but owners of those shops must get permission from authorities to sell ivory products.

There are currently more than 400 registered domestic elephants in Chiang Mai, he said.