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Thailand, and especially Bangkok, is a shopper’s paradise. An outstanding variety of products, appealing to a huge diversity of tastes (and budgets) are available. Visitors are truly spoiled for choice.
However, amongst the vast array of things you could buy in Thailand, you are also likely to come across products made from parts of wild animals or plants. Most of these (such as crocodile skin bags and belts) will have been legally produced in an appropriate way. However, you are also likely to find some products, such as ivory carvings, the origins of which is questionable.
Visitors need to be mindful of the fact that not everything offered for sale on the streets and in the shops in the city and in well-known tourist destinations is done so legally, as is the case throughout the world. What is illegal can be so commonplace, it appears to be normal and accepted.
There are also items that can be sold legally within the country, but cannot be legally taken out of the country. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual to know what is right and what is wrong according to the law, and to act accordingly.
As a visitor in an unfamiliar setting, this is obviously very confusing, so here are some tips to help you make the right decisions.
- Ensure that what you buy won’t be subject to fines or confiscation in your own country when you return home. Stay within the law, so you don’t unknowingly or mistakenly buy something or do something you shouldn’t.
- Make certain you are not inadvertently supporting criminal networks engaged in the illegal and often very cruel trade in wild animals.
- Support the conservation of Thailand’s rich natural heritage of wildlife
Remember, you do have a choice, and if in doubt, it may be better to choose not to buy at all, than to become a victim of illegal wildlife crime and risk the penalties imposed.
WHAT NOT TO BUY OR TAKE HOME WITH YOU
Unless otherwise specified, all photos featured in this article are Copyright WWF Thailand.
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IVORY:
Illegal ivory trade is a serious global problem that is driving the slaughter of elephants in Africa and Asia. Taking ivory out of Thailand is illegal. Taking it into your own country is almost certainly illegal. (This is true for at least the 166 signatory countries of CITES, the international convention which prohibits international trade in ivory.)
Despite anything shopkeepers might tell you about where it came from, you should never buy products made from or containing ivory. This includes whole tusks, carvings of various statues, name seals, bracelets, necklaces and rings. |
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Photo © Nikki Phanichkarn
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HAWKSBILL TURTLE SHELL:
There are five species of marine turtles naturally found in the seas of Thailand both in the Gulf of Thailand, and in the Andaman Sea. All of them are increasingly endangered by the destruction of nesting beaches, entanglement in fishing nets, pollution, and the wildlife trade.
Turtle-shell jewelry including bracelets and hair combs is made mostly from the carapace of the hawksbill turtle. All turtles are protected by Thai law and by international law.
You may see some turtle shell products, especially at Chatuchak Market, and in high-end shops in shopping centers and malls. It is illegal to buy turtle shell in Thailand, illegal to take it out of the country, and illegal to take it into most countries of the world. |
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GIANT CLAM AND TRITON TRUMPET SHELLS:
You may think these would look really nice in your home – but they actually look much nicer in their natural habitat underwater, so instead of buying one, why not take a snorkelling or diving trip instead.
All giant clam shells and the triton trumpet are protected by law, and it is illegal to buy them, or to take them out of the country. |
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SEAHORSES:
Seahorses are fascinating creatures that mate for life, and have an unusual reproductive system with the male incubating the eggs. Unfortunately large quantities of dried seahorses are traded each year for traditional medicines. Seahorses are now protected by law. You may encounter them in the form of a dried seahorse on a key chain. Buying a product like this is illegal. |
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TIGERS AND OTHER LARGE CATS:
Tigers as well as all other Asian large cats (including leopards, clouded leopards, snow leopards, Asian golden cats, etc) are all protected by national and international law.
Buying tiger skin rugs, tiger skulls, claws, teeth or medicines containing tiger bone is completely illegal. The same is true for similar products from the other large cats. You may see some products like these in shops in the Sukhumvit area. Do not buy them. |
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BUTTERFLIES AND BEETLES
Only a very few butterflies and beetles are protected by law. Unfortunately, most people do not know which species are protected, and which are not.
In many roadside stalls around Sukhumvit and Silom, as well as in Pattaya and the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, or even in Duty Free shops in the airport, you will see trays of mounted and framed butterflies or other insects for sale. In many cases these are perfectly legal. In some cases a tray of three large butterflies may have two perfectly legal specimens and one protected specimen that shouldn’t be bought or sold. The problem is knowing which is which. |
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BATS
There are well over 100 species of bats in Thailand. Fruit-eating bats play an vital economic role in pollinating important fruit crops such as durian and bananas, while insect-eating bats help to control mosquito populations and other insect pests. Thai wildlife law now protects all bats.
You may come across stuffed bats mounted and set in frames. Do not buy them. It is illegal. |
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SHATOOSH
Shatoosh, known as the ‘King of Wools’, is from the Tibetan Antelope, also called the Chiru. The antelopes are killed in order to harvest this wool to make expensive shawls, which has led to a serious decline of these animals. Dealers sometimes give potential buyers false information, claiming that the wool is collected from captive animals or that it is collected from bushes, having been rubbed off from passing animals. The Tibetan Antelope is now listed on CITES Appendix I, which prohibits any commercial trade. These shawls are smuggled into Bangkok and sold illegally. |
Remember, you do have a choice, and if in doubt, it may be better to choose not to buy at all, than to become a victim of illegal wildlife crime and risk the penalties imposed.
THE PENALTIES
Breaking the wildlife law in Thailand is punishable by up to 4 years in prison
HELP STOP THE ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE
To report traffickers, please call 1362
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
LEATHER PRODUCTS
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CROCODILE SKIN:
Every year around 300,000 crocodiles are commercially bred in legally registered crocodile farms in Thailand for their meat and their leather.
Almost without exception, any crocodile skin product you buy in Thailand will have been legally produced. However, please remember that to take crocodile skin products out of the country you need a CITES export permit. The shop should be able to arrange this for you, but it may take some time. EU countries are considering a new agreement that would allow tourists to bring home a small amount of crocodile skin products for personal use without the need for permits.
To be sure of the regulation applying in your country, please contact your Customs Office. For more information in Thailand, contact the Department of Fisheries.
Contact information:
Department of Fisheries
Tel. +66 (0) 2567 4690
Fax. +66 (0) 2579 9528
E-mail: fishtradeins@fisheries.go.th
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SNAKE SKIN:
Many snakes are very common and are not protected by law. However pythons and cobras are protected by Thai and International laws. Products made from the skins of these snakes currently on sale in Thailand are illegal.
However, a recent change to Thai law now allows captive breeding in snake farms. A large snake farm in Sukhothai, will soon be providing a legal source of snakeskin products in Thailand. However, remember, as with crocodile, that python and cobra products can only be taken out of the country with CITES permits.
For more information in Thailand, contact the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.
Contact information:
Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation
Wildlife Trade Hotline
Call 1362
Fax: +66 (0) 2579 6886
Forestry Police Hotline
Call 1136
Web site: www.dnp.go.th |
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MONITOR LIZARD SKIN:
Monitor lizards are also protected by law, and monitor lizard skin products cannot be bought or taken out of the country. |
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STINGRAY LEATHER:
So far, stingrays are not protected, and products made of stingray leather can be legally bought and taken out of the country. There is some concern however that the number of stingrays being killed is unsustainable. |
WILD MEAT TONIC FOODS AND MEDICINAL PRODUCTS
If you venture out of Bangkok to provinces such as Kanchanaburi in the west of Thailand, you are likely to come across restaurants serving wild meat. Wild boar is the only large wild mammal that can be legally hunted in Thailand , and then only outside of protected areas. Almost all other forms of wild meat come from illegal poaching inside protected areas. You should not eat these foods, as you are creating the demand that encourages hunters to poach more animals in the future.
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BEARS’ PAW SOUP
The two species of bear found in Thailand – the Asiatic black Bear, and the Malayan Sun Bear, are protected by law. The cruel way in which bears are kept and killed to produce bear’s paw soup is something that must be stopped.
As a tourist or visitor, you are very unlikely to encounter this gruesome practice, but on the very slight chance that you are invited to partake, you should definitely refuse. |
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Photo © WildAid
Photo © WildAid
Web site:
WildAid Thailand
www.wildaidasia.org
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SHARKS FIN SOUP
Most sharks are not protected by law, and there is nothing illegal about consuming a bowl of sharks fin soup. However many people are concerned about the cruel practice of “finning” sharks, particularly the endangered Whale Shark, (a species which is now protected by law) and a major attraction for divers.
A huge number of sharks (some estimates put this as high as 300 million!) are killed each year around the world. The harvest is clearly unsustainabcle and removing sharks, the top predators in marine ecosystems from the food chain, has damaging knock-on effects.
Thai Airways International (THAI) was the first Asian airline to stop serving sharks fin soup to first class passengers. There may also be serious health issues connected to eating sharks fins, as it appears that they are often contaminated by high levels of mercury that accumulates in the fin and is deemed to be a risk to health, especially for pregnant women and young children, if consumed.
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TRADIITONAL MEDICINES
When purchasing traditional medicines, buyers should be aware that some medicines contain protected wildlife and therefore should not be bought. These may include derivatives of tiger rhino, musk, pangolin, etc. Some of these are raw products, while others are packaged products - when in doubt, do not buy.
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SEROW OIL
Serow are a type of mountain goat found throughout Thailand, particularly in limestone mountain areas. Serow are boiled and rendered to produce serow oil that is reputed to have bone and joint injury healing properties., and is used in some forms of traditional massage. Serow are protected by Thai law, and this practice is illegal. You should not buy serow oil. |
PET TRADE
Many exotic pets, such as Indian Star Tortoises, are available in the Chatuchak market. While these may look like attractive pets, and the dealers may tell you that they are legal and easy to take home, potential buyers should beware. Many of these animals are smuggled into Thailand and are being sold illegally.
Some people also buy animals to 'rescue' them from the markets because they feel sorry for them. This is not a good idea, as by buying these animals, no matter how good ones intentions may be, you are supporting the trade.
Image©WildAid 
Please click to expand |
Photo©WildAid
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If you think it's cramped in economy, imagine what it's like in cargo.
HELP STOP THE ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE
To report traffickers, please call 1362
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment |
SHOWS, ATTRACTIONS AND THE USE OF BABY ANIMALS
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GIBBONS:
Gibbons mate for life, live up to 30 years and after sexual maturity at 8 or 9, can have one baby every few years. Their early morning singing is one of the most beautiful sounds of the forest. If you have never heard or seen gibbons in the wild, take a trip to Khao Yai National Park, just two hours north of Bangkok.
Gibbons are protected by Thai and International law, but sadly baby gibbons are still caught from the wild by killing there mothers. For every one baby that survives the journey to market, 10 others die along the way. Unscrupulous people looking for quick and easy money from tourists will ask you to pay to have your photograph taken with baby gibbons. This is a common problem at the Floating Market, and in Pattaya. You should refuse. Do not support these merchants of misery.
To learn about the rehabilitation of confiscated and mistreated gibbons and their release back into the wild, contact Wild Animal Rescue (WAR).
Contact information:
Wild Animal Rescue (WAR)
Tel: +66 (0) 2261 9670, 2261 9672
Fax: +66 (0) 2662 0898
E-mail: war@warthai.org
Web site: www.warthai.org |
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Photo© Nikki Phanichkarn |
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ELEPHANTS:
Elephants are symbolic of Thailand, and the country’s history is intimately intertwined with the fate of elephants. Presently there are about 2,000 wild elephants remaining in Thailand’s forest, and around 3,000 in captivity. There are some very good elephant shows and elephant trekking camps that are well-run and take good care of their elephants. There is nothing wrong with supporting these businesses.
In some places you may be offered the opportunity to take your photograph with a baby elephant for a certain fee. Baby elephants are indeed cute, but remember, any elephant less than 1.5m (around five feet) tall, should still be with its mother.
If the baby is alone, ask to see where its mother is, and if you are not satisfied by the answer then it is better not to take that picture after all. Otherwise you might inadvertently be supporting the illegal trade of baby elephants from the wild, or the illegal smuggling of baby elephants.
In cities such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket, you may encounter elephants on the streets at night. Their mahouts or handlers will ask you to buy some fruit or sugar cane (at prices double or triple the cost in the market) to feed to the elephant. Elephant are cute, they may look hungry and you probably feel sorry for them, but you are not helping them in the long term by supporting this business – you are only encouraging others to being more elephants into the city to make money in this way – and more elephants will be involved in traffic accidents, fall down open manholes and break their legs, as a result.
HELP STOP THE ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE
To report traffickers, please call 1362
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment |
MAKING MERIT AND THE RELEASE OF ANIMALS
The concept of “making merit” by performing good deeds is a central element of Buddhist tradition and practice.
In traditional rural communities during the dry months, as rice paddies, small ponds and other seasonal water bodies dried out, fish, turtles and other aquatic creatures would become trapped in small pockets of water. While providing them with an easy opportunity to collect some welcome food, villagers would often also take some of the fish and turtles (surplus to their immediate food needs) from the drying up area and return them to a larger water body, stream or river that has water all year round, ensuring their survival.
If this was primarily motivated by a desire to make merit, or by the common-sense understanding of people that live off the land (which we would now call “local wisdom”), the effect was the same – it protected their food supply for future years.
Unfortunately in a faced-paced, high-stress world, the original meaning and significance behind the compassionate release of animals for merit-making has been lost with individuals frequently misunderstanding the rationale for doing so and seeking shortcuts to making merit.
Many freshwater turtles and terrapins are collected from the wild in wetlands in the Central region, and some parts of the Northeast for use in such activities. The main species used are listed in the table below.
Freshwater turtles and terrapins used in “merit-making”
The sale and purchase of all protected Thai wildlife species is illegal. And if foreign species have found their way onto the market through illegal wildlife trade, tourists and visitors who participate in the release of these animals are in fact contributing to the illegal import and trade in wildlife.
Help us keep wildlife in the wild. As an alternative to the release of turtles, birds and large creatures, we urge you to opt for the release of commercially-bred freshwater fish into ponds and rivers instead.
MAKING MERIT AND THE RELEASE OF ANIMALS
How To Make It Right
Please click to view
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
News Room sincerely thanks Dr Robert Mather, WWF Senior Programme Manager and WildAid Foundation (Thailand) for the enthusiastic support in providing knowledge, content and images for this special feature.
PHOTOS
Unless otherwise specified, all photos featured in this article are Copyright WWF Thailand.
Contact information:
For more information on WWFs campaigning work on the illegal wildlife trade, visit www.wwfthai.org
TRAFFIC the wildlife trade monitoring network, is a joint programme of WWF and the World Conservation Union (IUCN). For more information, visit www.traffic.org
WildAid Thailand
www.wildaidasia.org
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE)
Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation
Tel: +66 (0) 2278 8354
Fax: +66 (0) 2278 8533
Web site: www.mnre.go.th |
