GOODNIGHT, iguanas. The prehistoric looking creatures, carried for years by touts in Patong seeking to have tourists photographed with them, have been banished from Soi Bangla in Patong.
While tourists have generally been horrified more by the way the iguanas are treated than by having one on a shoulder, the cruel use of the creatures has gone on and on, despite protests.
Now Patong's new chief of police, Superintendent Colonel Arayapan Pukbuakao, has called a halt to the mistreatment, banned the touts and sent the iguanas to the Department of Nature and the Environment.
The iguana is an illegal import, not native to Thailand, he told Phuketwan today. ''In the past, these people have paid fines of 1000 baht maximum when they were arrested,'' he said.
''Usually, they would be back in business straight after paying the fine. But now all that is over. The people who own the iguanas have offered police substantial sums to keep their business going. We don't want their money,'' Colonel Arayapan said.
Female tourists have often been in tears as the iguanas were pushed towards them by the touts.
He said 10 iguanas had been confiscated and Soi Bangla was now clear of the iguana photo salesmen. However, he said there might still be one or two in side streets, and welcomed tourists to call Patong police on 191 if they spot one.
''Don't ask me about the closing time,'' he added. ''Everybody know Patong is a tourist place, like other tourist hotspots around Thailand. It doesn't make sense for them to close at 2am.
''Many people only go out at night at 11pm. We can't impose the law 100 percent.''
Phuket Songkran Rings Alarm at Packed PrisonWhile tourists have generally been horrified more by the way the iguanas are treated than by having one on a shoulder, the cruel use of the creatures has gone on and on, despite protests.
Now Patong's new chief of police, Superintendent Colonel Arayapan Pukbuakao, has called a halt to the mistreatment, banned the touts and sent the iguanas to the Department of Nature and the Environment.
The iguana is an illegal import, not native to Thailand, he told Phuketwan today. ''In the past, these people have paid fines of 1000 baht maximum when they were arrested,'' he said.
''Usually, they would be back in business straight after paying the fine. But now all that is over. The people who own the iguanas have offered police substantial sums to keep their business going. We don't want their money,'' Colonel Arayapan said.
Female tourists have often been in tears as the iguanas were pushed towards them by the touts.
He said 10 iguanas had been confiscated and Soi Bangla was now clear of the iguana photo salesmen. However, he said there might still be one or two in side streets, and welcomed tourists to call Patong police on 191 if they spot one.
''Don't ask me about the closing time,'' he added. ''Everybody know Patong is a tourist place, like other tourist hotspots around Thailand. It doesn't make sense for them to close at 2am.
''Many people only go out at night at 11pm. We can't impose the law 100 percent.''
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It is about time these were stopped. I actually thought it was Illegal anyway. It is good news. Now all they need to stop are the children who are selling flowers.
Posted by Tbs on April 10, 2010 18:35