Thai Authorities Look to Permanently Close Tiger Temple

[yuiyoshida]

KANCHANABURI – Deputy Chief of Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said authorities are searching for the head abbot of the Tiger Temple after he vanished in the wake of raids which discovered evidence implicating the temple in wildlife trafficking.

Monks at the Tiger Temple told officials abbot Phra Visuthisaradhera, aka Luangta Chan, left the complex May 29, one day before more than 1,000 officers and personnel arrived to seize its 137 tigers in a seven-day operation that led to the discovery of frozen tiger cubs, a hoard of other wildlife kept secretly and evidence suggesting commercial products were made there from endangered animals.

Police have yet to seek a warrant for the abbot’s arrest or accuse him of any specific crime. The only figures subject to criminal action so far are five people charged with the illegal trade and possession of protected species.

Adisorn Nuchdamrong, Deputy Chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), said authorities are now seeking to revoke the temple’s right to use the land while forestry officials will press for charges of forest encroachment, the Khaosod Reported

Chayapong Pongsida, Deputy Chief of The Office of National Buddhism (ONB) said a probe will be launched into the claims and if found to be true the temple will be relocated or closed.

http://www.chiangraitimes.com/thai-authorities-look-to-permanently-close-tiger-temple.html