Conservationists are urging authorities to terminate a licence granted for a new zoo set to open near the controversial Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi.
Edwin Weik, founder of the Wildlife Friends Foundation, said a network of wildlife conservationists including the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation will formally petition the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment next week to revoke the zoo operation licence granted to the Golden Tiger Company in 2016.
The company obtained the licence from the Department of National Parks (DNP) to build a commercial zoo within months of the DNP raid on the Tiger Temple in which 146 tigers, six black bears and various other animals were confiscated and the carcases of 40 baby tigers were found. Phra Archan Phusit Chan Khantitharo, or Laungta Chan, the controversial abbot of the temple, has been on the run ever since.
The Tiger Temple originally gained notoriety after allegations emerged that its tigers were mistreated and drugged to pose for photographs with tourists. Although the abbot told the media that all the animals had been rescued from abandonment by his organisation, conservationists accused the temple of profiting from illegal trafficking.
The temple has been closed since the raid in 2016.
"Two years have already passed and we have seen no progress on legal action. We need to see the right action from the ministry toward the case. And we think it is not appropriate to give a licence to this company, which has close connections with the temple," said Mr Weik, who also appealed to the DNP to examine the connection between the tiger temple and the company behind the new zoo.
It is not the first time complaints have been made against the project. In April, conservationists submitted a petition letter with 212,318 signatures asking authorities to terminate the licence given to the Golden Tiger company.
Company registration details show it has previously been called the Tiger Temple company as well as the Golden Temple company.
It has reportedly purchased domestic tigers from a decommissioned tiger zoo in Nakhon Nayok.
Golden Tiger company could not be reached for comment at press time.
Meanwhile, distressing images of the remaining animals at the Tiger Temple have been circulated on social media. These are the animals that were left after DNP raided in 2016.
A source at the DNP insisted that all animals covered under wildlife protection laws have been moved to the department's wildlife breeding centre. Those animals pictured were imported from overseas, and were are out of the DNP's jurisdiction, he said.
Sathid Prachyaariyakul, acting secretary-general of the Thai Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA), called on agencies to work to overcome any legal hurdles which bar assistance being given to the animals.