The $30 million question: Can Thai wildlife laws be enforced?

Thai law allows ownership of macaques under strict regulations, but keeping them without authorization is illegal and punishable by fines,confiscation, or prosecution. The grandfather had rescued the monkey in 2022 from a roadside, but lacked the legal permits required to keep such a wild animal.

Thai wildlife authorities have been criticized for their lack of enforcement in the past.. In 2020,a report by the Thai government's Department of National Parks , Wildlife and Plant Conservation found that many wildlife owners in Thailand were not aware of the laws and regulations governing the ownership of wild animals.

The incident has sparked calls for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws in Thailand.

The $30 million question: Can Thai wildlife laws be enforced?

The grandfather had rescued the monkey in 2022 from a roadside, but lacked the legal permits required to keep such a wild animal.

A familiar pattern from the 2019 crash

The attack was so severe that the child suffered a punctured lung and injuries to his ribcage, leading to his death at Sichon Hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat.. The monkey,a four-year-old male, was tethered to a bamboo pole but had enough rope to move freely.It had a known history of aggression, often growling and baring its teeth at strangers, and had previously attacked a stray cat.

The grandfather had previously been warned about the monkey's behavior, but chose to ignore the warning and keep the animal as a pet.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

The grandfather, Jaroon Srichan, released the monkey into nearby mountains, fearing consequences from wildlife authorities.. Police and wildlife experts are now searching for the animal, which has been located in a tree but remains dangerous and aggressive.

The grandfather's decision to release the monkey has been widely criticized, with many calling for the animal to be captured and put down.

What auditors flagged in the May filing?

The boy's mother, Daranee Srichan, expressed profound grief and stated that she will never keep another monkey, fearing for her other son's safety.The grandfather also regretted his decision, acknowledging that the monkey's behavior, possibly due to tiredness or irritation, led to the fatal outcome.

The incident has highlighted the dangers of keeping wild primates as pets and the importance of adhering to wildlife protection laws.