The Department of Livestock Development has completed the draft of the 'Elephant Act B.E. …'. The Ministry of Agriculture sent it to the Cabinet Secretariat last August for consideration and submission to the Cabinet. The latest confirmation is that the draft of the 'Elephant Act B.E. …' will be submitted again in October due to a change in the Cabinet. The first draft of the 'Elephant Act B.E. …' which was prepared by the Department of Livestock Development has been completed. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives considered it appropriate to submit it to the Cabinet for consideration and approval of the principle of this draft act. Therefore, it has been sent to the Office of the Secretariat of the Cabinet for consideration and submission to the Cabinet. For the purpose of drafting the 'Elephant Act B.E. …,' it is because the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, through the Department of Livestock Development, sees that elephants are important animals and are the national symbol of Thailand. Therefore, in order to protect and maintain elephants, prevent wild elephants from improperly claiming the rights of domestic elephants, bring elephants to wander for exploitation, take elephants out of the Kingdom and not bring them back into the Kingdom, supervise and ensure that domesticated elephants are properly cared for and provided with appropriate welfare, prevent elephant abuse, register elephants, apply for licenses to operate elephant-related businesses, establish standards for elephant raising (elephant camps), and prevent the illegal trade of ivory and elephant products, taking into account the culture, traditions, lifestyles and occupations of the people, as well as complying with international obligations. Source: Thai News Agency