BANGKOK, 27 February 2015 – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has urged all agencies to strictly enforce all ivory related laws in compliance with the Ivory Trade Act to suppress the illegal ivory trade.
The Minister of MNRE, Gen Dapong Ratanasuwan has said that he has urged all related agencies across the nation to organize activities that will promote the public understand on the regulations of ivory trade to the public, in compliance with the Ivory Trade Act B.E. 2558.
He has said the public needs to be aware of their responsibility to report any ivory holdings and to request for authorization in ivory trade. He has also requested foreign nationals to refrain from purchasing and exporting ivory and ivory items outside of Thailand. The minister said Thailand must show its national determination in tackling the illegal ivory trade issue to the CITES treaty member countries.
The MNRE Minister also warned that holders of ivory who fail to report to officials will face a fine of up to 3,000,000 baht, while unauthorized ivory traders will face up to 3 years imprisonment, or up to 6,000,000 baht fine, or both.
