Wildlife protection activists are calling for the suspension of the Ministry of Commerce's new law allowing elephants to be exported overseas. Joining the campaign, the Chartthaipattana Party's director Nikorn Chamnong said that people are confused as to why the regulations have been changed, after live elephant exports were suspended for over a decade. The Ministry of Commerce in April announced the new regulations on elephant exports, which will be effective from June 23. The importer must pay 5 million baht for the elephant, and only six elephants per year can be exported. He said there are 57 Thai elephants in Japan and there is no need to have a new one.

Source: Bangkok Post May 31, 2019 23:59 UTC