Phuket Thailand - Sad treatment of EAGLES at Kata viewpoint

Wellington · #1 26-10-2005, 16:29

Would anybody know of the legality or otherwise of three protected eagles
being tethered every day and all day ,at the viewpoint over KATA NOI, for the benefit of a guy who charges 200baht for tourists to be fotographed with these beautiful but sad birds;
Or is this another example of the tragic exploitation of our feathered friends?

aussie dollar · #2 26-10-2005, 16:35

yea upsets me too,should have been in patong 5 years ago all types of wildlife being used for photos then.
believe there are now laws,but it is thailand.
best thing is to ignore them and dont have your picture taken,the village on the water at james bond island was bad also.

Yahooka · #3 26-10-2005, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie dollar

yea upsets me too,should have been in patong 5 years ago all types of wildlife being used for photos then.
believe there are now laws,but it is thailand.

There are laws against these things in LOS,now and then they are being enforced,but like you say....this is thailand !!!

Quote:

best thing is to ignore them and dont have your picture taken,the village on the water at james bond island was bad also.

Couldn`t agree more

!!

LivinLOS · #4 26-10-2005, 19:22

Actually the animals in Bangla got moved iin in large part due to pressure exerted through the gazette, which in turn was in large part of my little brother bothering to write to them a few times.. Finally he pushed until someone gave a number they could be 'reported' on and repoerted them every night until something was done..

Then I go to Samui and there they were in Soi Green Mango..

Write to the Phuket gazette, these are protected species and with enough protest something gets done,

landofsmiles · #5 26-10-2005, 23:26

Still got the pissed off looking iguanas and monkeys being hawked around for pictures on Bangla every night :-) Sat at a bar in Crocodile the other night...watched 2 farang women in the next bar have pics taken with them. Had to restrain myself from going over to tell them how nice they were contributing to the animals misery. Hate seeing these things....at least the snakes and the baby elephant have gone.

LivinLOS · #6 26-10-2005, 23:53

Had not seen them in a while..

Will write to the gazette again..

aussie dollar · #7 27-10-2005, 03:46

yea reckon I will too,maybe a few of us could might help.

Wellington · #8 27-10-2005, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie dollar

yea reckon I will too,maybe a few of us could might help.

Trouble is,last time I drove past the view point , the Eagle Abuser was talking to three police;
in a friendly way,
probably just passed his weeks sub.
But a few more letters to the press and eventually, who knows; someone will take note.

aussie dollar · #9 28-10-2005, 12:15

Monday, November 10, 2003

897 declare wild animal ownership

PHUKET: A total of 897 people in Phuket have been officially registered as having protected wild animals in their possession, Sukree Attaporn, Officer of Protected Area Management Administration 19 at Nakhon Sri Thammarat, has told the Gazette. The 19th area includes Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and Nakhon Sri Thammarat).

Compilation of the figure came after a 120-day amnesty for people to declare wild animals in their possession. The amnesty ended on September 9.

K. Sukree said that the number of the wild animals registered in Phuket totaled 18,658. This included 16,022 birds, 1,234 mammals, four amphibians, 479 reptiles and 22 insects.

One aspect of concern to many tourists is the treatment of gibbons, sea eagles and other creatures by photo-taking touts in Patong.

The Deputy Commander of the Forestry Police Division, Pol Col Chatkanoke Kieosangsong, told the Gazette that people who declare that they have wild creatures in their possession must also provide a safe and permanent abode. If the animal is to be moved to a new home, officials must be informed, he said.

Failure to do so can bring a fine of up to 5,000 baht and confiscation of the animal. Breaches of conditions for caring for wild creatures can carry penalties as high as four years in jail and a 40,000 baht fine.

The Chief of the Phuket Town Forestry Office, Athikarn Siriluksanapong, said that most of the declared animals were birds. Especially popular among people who breed birds to compete in singing competitons is the red-whiskered bulbul, or Pycnonotus jocosus.

Mammals in the care of the public include sambar deers (Cervus unicolor) and barking deers (Muntiacus muntjak).

People who have declared their animals and birds will be allowed to keep them, subject to checks by Forestry Department officials on the numbers and condition of the creatures involved.

“Forestry officers are checking randomly in some places where people have declared possession of many wild animals,” he said. “They will check the exact number to begin with.”

New regulations will be announced shortly, he said.

Suchart Nuehom, Chief of Khao Pra Taew National Park, said that knowing how many wild creatures were in public hands was a big step forward for wildlife protection.

The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP) at Bangpae is covered by other regulations, but Khao Pra Taew officers hope to conduct checks there, too.

Each animals on the list of declared wildlife will be tagged with a microchip in the case of the animals and a clip for the birds. K. Suchart did not specify the ID process for insects.

aussie dollar · #10 28-10-2005, 12:16

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

Wildlife touts arrested in Patong

PATONG: Four photo-taking touts have been arrested by police and charged with having young gibbons in their possession without the required wildlife licences. One has already been fined 20,000 baht.

The men were taken into custody over Songkran in Patong after a steady stream of complaints from tourists.

Further charges will be laid against the four if allegations that the baby gibbons were drugged can be proven. The animals are now in the care of the island’s Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP).

One man, Tawee Kingjampa – the first to be arrested, on April 11– has already been fined 20,000 baht by the court. The other three, arrested on subsequent nights, were released on bail to appear in court later. The maximum penalty for illegal possession of wildlife is four years in jail or a fine of 40,000 baht.

The three were named as Dej Khunpol, 25, Jaroon Lukwai, 27, and Suchart Kongyot.

With effect from November, the law has required people to declare wildlife in their possession, to register their ownership, and to treat the animals with proper care.

Before the new law came into force, police and wildlife officials were powerless to act, even though many people complained about the treatment of gibbons, sea eagles and other animals in Patong, where touts paraded the creatures, urging tourists to hold the animals while having their photographs taken for a fee.

Awat Nitikul, Chief of the Khao Prathaew Non-Hunting Area, was delegated to lead a team of officers in the case. He said instructions to act came from the Forestry Department in Bangkok, which had received many complaints about photo-taking touts.

Catching the men required undercover work with the help of Kathu police, K. Awat said. “The men tried to hide the baby gibbons under big jackets and show them as tourists walked past.

“I believe these people were working as a team and I understand that some of them come from Ranong,” he said. “Our investigations are continuing.”

He added, “I heard the cost of one photo is 500 baht to 1,200 baht. That’s expensive.”

He noted that the men appeared to think that they could continue to operate without fear of legal action.

K. Awat added that 44 gibbons are legally registered as being in private ownership in Phuket.

People who see wildlife being mistreated or abused may call Tel: 06-6897040, 01-8943120 or 07-2684148 around the clock.

aussie dollar · #11 28-10-2005, 12:18

this is reply email from phuket gazette

It's illegal. Please see http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/in...ch=yes&Id=3123 and http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/in...ch=yes&Id=3413

We suggest you report these cases to the police.

Regards
Gazette

----- Original Message ----- From: "cliff parker" <@hotmail.com>
To: "Gazette issues & answers" <issuesanswers@phuketgazette.net>
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2005 4:16 AM
Subject: Someone submitted an issue!

This party has submitted an issue.

Name: cliff parker

Email: @hotmail.com

Location: AUSTRALIA

Subject:

Issue: Is there a law about wildlife being tethered and being used for tourist photos. At the viewpoint at KATA NOI three eagles are tethered all day every day for tourist photos (200 baht fee).

People who see wildlife being mistreated or abused may call Tel: 06-6897040, 01-8943120 or 07-2684148 around the clock.

LivinLOS · #12 28-10-2005, 16:29

Send to the 'letters to the editor section'

I have sent one.. I think if they get a few on a common theme its much more likely to get printed and the attention focused..

aussie dollar · #13 28-10-2005, 18:25

will but what would happen if reported to those phone numbers ?
normal thai action ? (nothing)
will do that lil do you feel that Phuket gazette would then follow up ?

LivinLOS · #14 28-10-2005, 19:44

If you carefuly use media exposure to have someone actually accountable (tel number for officer in charge etc) you can make it work..

On the other hand I wouldnt want to use my name to hard as you dont need a hassle from someone who wants to get his own back cause his livelyhood is threatened.

cotambear · #15 28-10-2005, 22:17

Quite frankly they deserve all they get, I hate `hotel california`.

aussie dollar · #16 29-10-2005, 03:27

On the other hand I wouldnt want to use my name to hard as you dont need a hassle from someone who wants to get his own back cause his livelyhood is threatened

different for an expat they are there on the ground,so would have to be careful.Easy when sitting 8000km away and not well known in LOS.

Yahooka · #17 29-10-2005, 06:13

Letter underway to Phuket Gazette

!! It`s a slow progress,but I think we`re getting there.Compared to the "good old days" when you could find a beer-sipping gibbon everywhere,it`s not to bad nowadys,but selfishly I have to admit that I miss the elephants blowing water at you in Bangla at Songkran

!!

Wellington · #18 29-10-2005, 11:16

Everyone Sang

Everyone suddenly burst out singing;
And I was filled with such delight
As prisoned birds must find in freedom,
Winging wildly across the white
Orchards and dark-green fields; on--on--and out of sight.

Everyone's voice was suddenly lifted;
And beauty came like the setting sun:
My heart was shaken with tears; and horror
Drifted away ... O, but Everyone
Was a bird; and the song was wordless; the singing will never be done.

Siegfried Sassoon

Thought this was rather apt,

landofsmiles · #19 29-10-2005, 21:51

Went past the viewpoint today and stopped for a look. 2 Sea Eagles and a Hawk tethered to the cart. Maybe the same eagles that used to be carried round Bangla at night a year or two ago for photo opportunities?

Few tourists about so didn't see anyone have a picture...lucky for them because I may well have been tempted to say something. I suppose if the owners have the birds registered to them they aren't doing anything illegal??? or are there brown envelopes changing hands ???

I'm quite tempted to take a pair of wire cutters up there and cut the chains. Trouble is the poor bastards have probably lost the ability or will to fly

Wellington · #20 30-10-2005, 10:21

I don't think protected species can legally be registered to anyone but God
and I agree,(brown envelopes) when we last passed 3 police were on site ;wonder what they were doing? No sign of any arrests being made!
I guess the birds may have had their wings clipped; can't escape.
What a life
Please write to the Gazette, add your voice

Benjy · #21 30-10-2005, 16:46

It is sad but I dont see much difference between that and say, having a parrot.

landofsmiles · #22 30-10-2005, 21:10

Iguanas and baby gibbon in Soi Crocodile again last night

Wellington · #23 31-10-2005, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotambear

Quite frankly they deserve all they get, I hate `hotel california`.

Please explain what you mean;(hotel california)

Wellington · #24 31-10-2005, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjy

It is sad but I dont see much difference between that and say, having a parrot.

Parrots in the wild are social,more flock birds, and spend a lot of time talking,and flying short distances from tree to tree. They are not so much distressed as the eagles who are solitary and spend most of their days soaring the skies and do suffer terribly by being deprived of their hunting instincts and their freedom in the high air currents. Co