Phuket’s Soi Bangla declared ‘iguana free’ zone

[Benny10]

Would be nice to see a similar development in WS, protecting kids from being displayed for acrobatic shows until late night.

 

 

 

Patong, PHUKET: Following complaints from tourists and animal rights activists, Kathu Police Superintendent Arayapan Pukbuakhao has declared Patong an ‘Iguana Free Zone’.

 

“Many tourists complained about iguana handlers putting the reptiles on them without permission, especially on Soi Bangla. Some tourists got scratched when the handlers pulled them off. NGOs have also complained about the practice,” he told the Gazette.

 

For years iguana handlers have made a living in the area by having tourists pose with the reptiles and snapping pictures of them for a charge.

 

Other animals used for this purpose over the years by ‘photo touts’ have included gibbons, pythons and sea eagles.

 

Although the law carries stiff penalties for illegal possession of wildlife – with up to four years imprisonment possible – enforcement has always been sporadic in Patong.

 

There have also been incidents of violence between tourists and iguana handlers, including the stabbing of a Syrian tourist in October last year.

 

Soon after taking up his post in February, Col Arayaphan ordered a crackdown.

 

All iguana handlers were arrested and the reptiles have been turned over to a government wildlife conservation agency, he said.

 

Col Arayaphan also wants bar owners along Soi Bangla to employ less aggressive tactics to lure customers into their establishments.

 

“After Songkran I will talk to them about having staff who try to physically pull tourists into their bars,” he said.

 

The tactic is a long-standing practice used by bar hostesses in Patong and other parts of Thailand with tourist-oriented adult entertainment.

 

Brought by Phuket Gazette,

Friday, April 16, 2010, 11:57 local time

[plahgat]

Will have a look when I stroll down Soi Bangla tonight!

Although I doubt that they have stopped this sad practise!

 

By the way the "Green Iguanas" are not a native or endangered species in Thailand!

They originally comes from South-America and are all bred in captivity!

They are very common in the pet-trade around the world.

 

I'm more saddened when they use wild native species like slow lories, gibbons, pythons and sea eagles,

because they are taken from the wild and sometimes the mothers are killed as well!

 

Only one way to stop this animal cruelty and it is to not take a photo of these animals, but to immediately report the handlers to the tourist police!

 

Plahgat

[Kangarooted]

Glad to hear it - they are one of the biggest pains in the street. However I wont be reporting anything to the tourist police thanks - they have eyes and if they want to stop the practice they will.

[Benny10]

Glad to hear it - they are one of the biggest pains in the street. However I wont be reporting anything to the tourist police thanks - they have eyes and if they want to stop the practice they will.

Agree, I would not report to tourist police either.

But credit to the regular BIB, who got rid of most beggars and vendors harrassing you while you sat in the bars.

[plahgat]

Seems like the animalhandlers has disappeared after all, haven't seen any on Soi Bangla for the last nights!

Wish they could get rid of the annoying touts as well!

 

About rapporting to the police... if you do nothing they will do nothing as well!

Enough complaints and finally they have to act, as shown in this case!

 

Plahgat

[cheang]

Back when I was in university, I went to a party where the host had an iguana over a meter long. He liked to put it in peoples face. I told him if he got it within reach that I would kill it and make it a belt. He stuck it in another guests face and it proceeded to bite him. It took 23 stitches to get his lip sewed back on. Needless to say, I do not get near the things!!