SEARCH

Showing 1-7 of 7 results

  • News & article

    Southeast Asian governments pledge to end dog meat trade

    Published on 19/09/2013

    » Officials to work with animal welfare coalition Asia Canine Protection Alliance Government officials from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam have pledged to end the inhumane, commercial trade in dogs for meat. The trade is responsible for slaughtering an estimated 5 million dogs for human consumption per year. Thailand, Cambodia and Laos supply dogs for the trade into Vietnam, where they are slaughtered and consumed. Dog meat production has evolved from small-scale household businesses to a multi-million dollar industry of illicit dog traders causing pain and suffering to the dogs involved and posing health risks to humans. The trade in dogs for meat involves movement of dogs of unknown disease and vaccination status, impeding rabies elimination efforts in the region. Countries are failing to comply with their own national animal disease prevention measures, and are not following recommendations for rabies control and elimination by organizations such as the World Health Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health and the trade has been linked to outbreaks of trichinellosis, cholera and rabies. The World Health Organization recently cited the trade as a contributing factor in recent outbreaks of rabies in Indonesia and cholera in Vietnam. Government officials agreed to work to end the trade at a recent meeting in Hanoi with animal welfare coalition Asia Canine Protection Alliance. Concerned about the spread of rabies, officials said they would enact a moratorium on the commercial transport of dogs from one country to another for the next five years. In that time, authorities will measure the impact of a moratorium on rabies transmission in the region. (In Thailand, where the trade is illegal, authorities agreed to better enforcement of existing regulations.) Pornpitak Panlar, with the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health in Thailand said, “We cannot change culture or habit, but we should stop the smuggling of dogs. This meeting was important to urge government agencies to see the problems caused by the dog meat trade and discuss a platform to stop the spread of rabies.” Nguyen Thu Thuy, deputy director, Department of Animal Health in Vietnam added, “The rabies situation has become more severe – especially this year. One of the main reasons is the illegal cross-border trade of dogs.” Boonseub Chemchoig, chief inspector general, Ministry of Interior, Thailand noted, “We never allow the transfer of dogs from Thailand to Vietnam for the purpose of consumption. We are still seeking solutions as the border between Thailand and other countries is long and difficult to manage considering the illegal trade. We are trying.” Animal protection organisations, under ACPA, will work with officials, helping to provide financial assistance, expertise and other resources as needed. ACPA is made up of Change for Animals Foundation, Humane Society International, Animals Asia and Soi Dog Foundation. “Canine rabies remains endemic in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia,” it was pointed out by Lola Webber, programmes leader, Change for Animals Foundation. “Ending the illegal trade in dogs destined for human consumption is a crucial component of national and regional rabies control elimination programmes.” Kelly O’Meara, director of companion animals and engagement, Humane Society International, said, “The trade is not about a desire to maintain culture or custom. The trade is profit-driven and poses a risk to human health. In addition, throughout Asia and globally, there is mounting concern for animal welfare and overwhelming evidence documenting the inherent cruelty in all stages of the trade—from sourcing, transport, sale to slaughter.”

  • News & article

    Mangrove Forest Protection

    Published on 09/09/2013

    » The Mechanical Unit Director Mr. Suraphol Rakkusol from Chiva Som attended a meeting with the Chairperson of the Ban Takiab Environmental Conservation Committee Somsak Khiewkham and Committee Members Phawalee Plodprong, Sa-ngad Cho-obchei and Sombun Bunkrabu.

  • News & article

    Top investigators plan Pattaya crime office

    Published on 21/08/2013

    » The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), having recently opened a branch at Phuket airport, has promised later to extend its presence to Pattaya.

  • News & article

    Bullying goes ballistic

    Published on 20/08/2013

    » A 10-year-old student bullied a kindergarten pupil, forcing the younger girl to eat faeces and toilet cleaner at their Najomtien school. The incident arose when the three-year-old was unable or unwilling to provide the older girl with “protection money.” The father and grandmother of the abused child took her to hospital for x-rays and treatment. Parents of the 10-year-old said their daughter had not shown violent tendencies at home, but they apologized for the grisly incident. The abusing child has since been moved from the school. The Ministry of Social Development announced that the school in question had been ordered to put CCTV cameras in some classrooms and in the restrooms at the front and back of the building.

  • News & article

    Public Hearing in Hua Hin Launches the High Speed Train Project

    Published on 05/07/2013

    » The Bureau of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (BTTPP) recently organised a public hearing about the Bangkok-Hua Hin high speed train project.  Officials revealed their preliminary research and design and local people expressed their opinions about this project.

  • News & article

    Parks Dept hikes fees as much as 150pc

    Published on 24/08/2012

    » PHUKET: The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has announced it is to hike park entrance fees from October 1 at 29 national parks countrywide, including seven in southern Thailand.

  • News & article

    Thailand’s Hidden Hazards

    Published on 06/08/2012

    » Thailand travel guides warn you of exotic diseases that melt your brain, shopping scams that gut your wallet, and cultural no-no’s that may send you to the slammer, but seldom cover the day-to-day, life-threatening hazards you only learn about if you survive them. On my first day in Thailand, I almost died just trying to walk.

Your recent history

  • Recently searched

    • Recently viewed links

      Did you find what you were looking for? Have you got some comments for us?