The Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand greets the Animal Network e.V. and, with regards to their letter dated 20 April 1999 referring to the slaughter of dogs and cats for food and economical production purposes offers the following information:

1. The slaughter of dogs and cats is in no way a common practice in Thailand. For the majority of the Thai people the slaughter of these animals is, in fact, absolutely repulsive and loathsome. The Thai people do not consume dog or cat meat.

2. It is, however, true that the slaughter of dogs does exist under minority groups in certain regions of Thailand. The slaughter serves mainly as a source of food for these minority groups and is in accordance with their traditions and customs.

3. According to recent enquiries there are approximately 50 facilities which serves as slaughterhouses for the production of skins, furs and meat in the Sakon Nakhon province in the north east of Thailand. However, none of these organisations are registered either as factories or slaughterhouses.

4. In recognition of the fact that the slaughter of dogs has achieved considerable publicity at both national and international levels, the Ministry of the Interior has instructed the governor of the Sakon Nakhon province to take immediate action to eliminate this problem based on valid legislation and measures connected with animal protection and the prevention of risks to health and hygiene. At the same time, the responsible authorities in Thailand, including the parliamentary committees, are taking into consideration, and implementing. the following:

4.1 Changes to the animal protection law B.E. 2502 (1959) and the improvement of official responsibility and rapid implementation of these measures. Paragraphs prohibiting the slaughter of dogs and cats and the sale of dog fur and meat will be added to the valid laws.

4.2 The introduction of control points in the Sakon Nakhon province to control the movements of all vehicles which transport dogs and dog furs.

4.3 Observation of the number of dogs in the Sakon Nakhon province based on the legislation to combat rabies.

4.4 Control of slaughterhouses based environmental protection legislation.

4.5 Prohibition of advertising and announcements for the sale of dog meat.

4.5 The provision of alternative employment possibilities and the establishment of a work procurement organisation for those employed in dog selling and slaughtering.

5. A campaign has been initiated in the Sakon Nakhon province to draw attention to the negative aspects of this matter.

The Royal Thailand Government hopes that the above preventive measures and other procedures aimed at combating the animal cruelty practised by certain ethnic groups in the country will gradually help to overcome the custom. Despite this, the problem has already transgressed the country's borders. And, as trade is purely a matter of supply and demand, the embassy sincerely asks Animal Network e.V. to encourage all German citizens to cease importing and purchasing products made from dog or dog and cat fur. The Royal Thailand Embassy would like to sincerely thank the Animal Network e.V. for its serious consideration for the living conditions of animals in Thailand and would like to take this opportunity to again express its profound respect for the Animal Network e.V.