Out of the meat trade, into agony

A British journalist working on a documentary investigation into what happens to animals that are supposedly freed from those involved in the illicit business finds that in three out of four cases a Vietnamese dinner plate is exchanged for a Thai grave

Published: 21 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Spectrum

Photos taken immediately following a raid on a canine meat traders' compound in Sakhon Nakhon province in January show dogs seemingly relieved to have escaped from the tiny cages into which they had been crammed. Wide-eyed puppies can be seen among well-groomed dogs with collars _ which, along with their ease among volunteer workers, suggests many of the animals supplying the illicit trade were people's pets.

Some of these images feature in the first few minutes of a documentary that is currently running in instalments as part of a web series on YouTube, Dogs of Thailand, by John Keeble, a former Fleet Street journalist with more than 50 years in the business.

Keeble has been coming to Thailand since 1975 and has lived here for six years.

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anqiwells
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Discussion 19 : 22 Oct 2012 at 19.0919
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Photos are the key. People loved these animals and paid for them when they had them at home. Like the photo boards posted after the terrible Indonesian earthquake, post photos of the dogs online. People searching for their pets can find them and will come to wherever the dogs are. Find a volunteer photographer and set up a website. As pet owners are reunited, they may be willing to make donations to help with the expenses of the shelters. The rescues will make for good news stories and raise public interest in reuniting pets and owners.
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junk1e
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Discussion 18 : 21 Oct 2012 at 15.5018
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Soi Dog Foundation is currently raising funds and supplying large quantities of food, vaccines and medication as well as veterinary support to all four centers currently housing dogs intercepted by the authorities. The centers are operated by the Department of Livestock development but they have no operating budget and the dogs rely solely on donations. Over 20 tons of food was supplied last month alone and several thousand vaccines including 2,000 donated by Pfizer. They are also supporting various Bangkok groups who are sending volunteer teams each week to help. Over 800 dogs have been sterilized at the Khemmarat and Buriram centers.
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junk1e
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Discussion 17 : 21 Oct 2012 at 15.4317
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In relation to discussion 12. A fund was established in August 2011 by the former Governor of Nahkon Phanom province, specifically for the dogs rescued in the first large interception. It raised a reputed 23 to 25 million thb with members of the Royal Family donating to it. It is managed by a committee in Nakhon Phanom and as of this month there is under 8 million remaining which will run out within the next few months. The money has been spent on improving and extending the facilities there, employing additional staff including 2 full time vets and of course feeding the dogs.
Soi Dog Foundation has no connection with this fund.
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barryw
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Discussion 16 : 21 Oct 2012 at 15.0216
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To remind the Thais who have completely lost the plot, these are the first two Precepts of Buddhism -
not to take the life of anything living, and not to take anything not freely given. There is absolutely no way that Thailand is any longer a Buddhist nation. The country is morally bankrupt, where the only thing that is worshiped is money combined with the childish concept of needing to save face, no matter what.
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heartie
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Discussion 15 : 21 Oct 2012 at 14.3515
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That picture of the meat is really tame. I've seen scores of of the real deal in Hanoi (heads and all) and it's not a pretty picture. I've also seen dogs freshly slaughtered. Why aren't people putting the Vietnamese to shame for this?! They think it's funny that anyone cares about their meat and where it comes from. Vietnam should stop classifying dogs as 'livestock' and this will come to an end quickly! If the dogs all need health certificates, records of vaccines and import/export permits, there's no way this barbaric act could continue!
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Ian
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Discussion 14 : 21 Oct 2012 at 11.4914
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I suspect that Thais lack one particular emotion, it is called empathy, much which is puzzling in Thai culture becomes clear if you accept this.
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tamsin
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Discussion 13 : 21 Oct 2012 at 11.3213
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By the way, I see this will be aired on tv in the UK. I would have thought that even from an economic point of view, given that a large percentage of tourism comes from the UK, the TAT should be concerned. I did say 'should'.
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tamsin
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Discussion 12 : 21 Oct 2012 at 11.2712
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I remember asking Mr Dalley at the time more donations were being requested where the, if memory serves me right, the 20 million baht had gone. He'd told me that the Nakon Sawan team were spending it on something as they'd started to throw up some rudimentary accommodation for these poor animals. But now appears that 20 million has once again disappeared into the pockets of those supposedly entrusted with the care of these dogs.

Has Thailand no shame?
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victor Careford

Discussion 11 : 21 Oct 2012 at 11.0511
What an absolute national disgrace! Why do Thai people stay silent? Time to stand up and contact the politicians, local councils etc. My heartfelt thanks to everyone at soidog.org for making a difference. With everyone's support, we can change the destiny of these poor creatures.
from iPhone application.
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EddyWally
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Discussion 10 : 21 Oct 2012 at 11.0510
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Thai people in general love animals, some of them however show this love in a wrong way by not neutering or caring properly, that is one of the roots of the problem. The biggest problem is the authorities here; Corruption from the lowest levels up to the top are worse then ever in Thailand, with no one in the government or within the departments trying to make a positive change. Greed, greed and greed run the people that work for Thailand's government. It is sick to see that "rescued" dogs disappear after being taken into shelter, ending up still as a dish for a few Vietnamese or Chinese thousands of kilometers away...
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Out of the meat trade, into agony | Bangkok Post: lifestyle