Thai Deputy PM charged over export of 100 tigers to China
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Buy SPH photosBANGKOK (AFP) - A Thai deputy prime minister was charged on Wednesday in connection with the export to China of 100 tigers, an endangered species protected by international law, the attorney general's office told AFP.
Plodprasop Suraswadi approved the export of tigers from Sriracha Tiger Zoo - a popular tourist attraction a few hours from Bangkok - to a Chinese breeding firm in 2002. He was the head of the forestry department at the time.
He was charged under an article in Thai law which includes the "abuse of power, failing to carry out his duty and/or corruption," according to Teerayhut Mapame of the attorney general's office.
It was unclear why the charges were being brought a decade later.
