Thailand tightens up legislation to end illegal ivory trade

A customs officer arranges confiscated elephant tusks before a news conference at the Customs Department in Bangkok, Thailand, April 5, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

BANGKOK - Thailand has strengthened the implementation of its National Ivory Action Plan to stop illegal ivory trade, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) disclosed Wednesday.

Thailand is stepping up efforts to bring an end to an illegal trade on ivory and ivory products by strengthening the nation's legislations to be in line with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

According to TAT, the plan has included the National Ivory Act of 2015 that has been amended to recognize African elephants as protected species and to regulate any ivory trade in or passing through Thailand.

Under the amended National Ivory Act of 2015, any domesticated elephant ivory and ivory products sold or in transit in Thailand has to be accompanied by identification certificates and proof that the bearer is in legal possession or has evidence from an approved dealer. However, it remains illegal to export any domesticated elephant ivory or ivory products.

Thailand prohibits any unregistered import or export of ivory and ivory products. Bringing ivory and ivory products into or out of the country is illegal and offenders can face up to three years in confinement and up to 6 million Baht in fine, or both.

To create greater awareness on Thailand's efforts to stop illegal ivory trade, the country's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has released a series of videos aiming at warning travelers of the regulations and penalties of dealing with illegal ivory or ivory products.