WHAT NOT TO BUY OR TAKE HOME WITH YOU

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 ConservationWildlife Trade
Hotline Call 1362
Fax: +66 (0) 2579 6886
Forestry Police Hotline Call 1136
Web site: http://www.dnp.go.th/

HELP STOP THE ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE To report traffickers, please call 1362
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

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.

Reference http://www.tatnews.org/special_interest/Wildlife/3315.asp