Thailand remains a hub for the illegal ivory trade.

This year has seen three large hauls of African ivory being smuggled in or out of Thailand. It’s the second most lucrative smuggling trade in Thailand. But now, authorities say they’re committed to tackling the problem.

Experts warn that in 15 years, the largest land animal on earth will be effectively extinct. The 600,000 strong populations are diminishing by 38,000 a year at the hands of poachers keen to exploit one of Africa’s most lucrative commodities, ivory.
With a pair of tusks weighing up to 60kgs, each African elephant represents a goldmine. The international price of Ivory is said to have shot up to almost $1000 a kilo in the past year. And for poachers, this is temptation too hard to resist.
Earlier this month, Thai customs officials seized 456kg of Kenyan Ivory at Bangkok’s main airport estimated to be worth more than $700000. Large hauls like this are not rare in Thailand. For Freeland, an anti-trafficking NGO, these seizures represent more pressing concerns.
Steven Galster, Exec. Director of Freeland Foundation, said, “Seizures are a reflection of more poaching in Africa for sure. We are getting reports from Africa that elephants are being killed every week. There is a direct connection. No doubt about it.”
The illicit wildlife trade has become Thailand’s second most lucrative illegal business, after drug trafficking. The geographical location and the expertise of Thai carvers make the country and ideal point of transit for ivory coming from Africa and sold to other Asian markets.
Dusita Chumsri, Bangkok, said, “Thailand has always had a long cultural and historic relationship with elephants but yet the trade of ivory has long existed. Legal loopholes and insufficient law enforcement has meant that Thailand continues to harbor one of the largest illegal ivory market in the world.”
But it seems that the Thai government is now committed to tackling this criminal trade. The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department will list the African elephant as a protected animal under Thai law, signaling the first time that a non-local wildlife species is a protected under the 1992 Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act.
Problem is, with laws and regulations regarding wildlife conservation, the difficulty lies in the implementation.
Tanat Suvattanametakul, Dep. Director of Thailand Customs Bureau, said, “I think this law is serious in Thailand, I think it is stricter. I point out to enforcing the law. Thailand has many laws. I think it’s enough.”
Many believe that unless Thailand strengthens their law, the trade in ivory will show no signs of abating.
Steven Galster, Exec. Director of Freeland Foundation, said, “We’ve been waiting for them to change the law for a long time so we aren’t holding their breath any longer. What we like is for them to start seizing traffickers.”
Until then, the outlook for these African elephants is grim. To meet growing demand for the Asian ivory market, more elephants will inevitably suffer under the hands of the organized criminal poaching syndicates.