Thailand can’t ensure ‘happiness’ of pandas, critics say as PM Srettha mulls loan from China

Name: With tears and waves, Japan sends giant panda ‘home’ to China
Uploaded: 2023-09-21T09:24:54.000Z
Duration: 1 min 26 s
Description: With tears and waves, Japan sends giant panda ‘home’ to China

Conservationists, netizens and a former minister oppose the plan, urging that any additional resources be instead channelled towards Thailand’s elephants

Others say the era of ‘exchanging animals to enhance bilateral ties’ is over, pointing to the case of a Thai elephant gifted to Sri Lanka that was neglected

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A giant panda eats bamboos at Chiang Mai Zoo in northern Thailand. There are at least 65 giant pandas overseas in 18 countries, including Japan and the US. Photo: Shutterstock

SCMP’s Asia desk

Published: 5:24pm, 21 Sep 2023Updated: 9:08am, 22 Sep 2023

A former Thai minister has opposed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s plan to loan a new giant panda from Beijing, saying the tropical kingdom lacks a conducive environment for the endangered species to thrive, and pandas are better off living in their country of origin.

Srettha last week said requesting for a panda as a goodwill ambassador would be on the agenda when he visits China next month.

But conservationist Kanchana Silpa-archa urged the government to reconsider its proposal given the high costs involved in raising a panda and instead spend the funds on upkeep of local animals such as elephants.

Thai conservationist Kanchana Silpa-archa poses with an elephant in Surin province. Photo: Facebook/nuna.silpaarcha

“I love pandas and all animals, and want to ensure their happiness,” Kanchana wrote on Facebook. “We did a great job raising Lin Hui, Chuang Chuang and Lin Bing at Chiang Mai zoo, but its panda zone is too limited.”

Lin Hui, who died in April, was the last of three pandas in Thailand and had lived in an air-conditioned enclosure at Chiang Mai Zoo since 2003.

The bear and her mate Chuang Chuang that died in 2019 were a symbol of Beijing’s panda diplomacy initiative. The pair’s female cub Lin Bing was born in 2009, and was sent back to China four years later.

There are at least 65 giant pandas overseas in 18 countries, including Japan and the US. Since 1985, the panda loan programme has required that zoos return any cubs to China.

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With tears and waves, Japan sends giant panda ‘home’ to China