US praises Thailand for best wildlife protection in Asia

CHONBURI, THAILAND, March 4 (TNA) - The United States has praised Thailand for developing the most effective resolution to illegal wildlife trade in Asia. The United States has also announced that Washington will continue working together with Bangkok on combating illegal wildlife trade. Patrick Murphy, Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy to Thailand, expressed the appreciation and echoed the US stance while presiding over an event at the Bang Pra Non-Hunting Area in Chonburi Province in the Thai East, marking the World Wildlife Day on every March 3. Murphy acknowledged that Thailand is recognized as a successful global model for continual attempts to solve problems related to illegal wildlife trade with the most effective resolution in Asia, covering the Kingdom's cooperation with the United States on exchanging information, providing tip-offs and arresting poaching gangs. The US Charge d'Affaires in Bangkok expressed his hope, however, that further attempts would be taken by Thailand to tackle illegal ivory trade, as the Kingdom remains a transit point for smuggling ivory to many countries, including the United States.(TNA)