Thai Airways bans shark fin product

BANGKOK: Thai Airways have banned the transportation of shark fin on its planes after an online campaign against the company.

“We have implemented an official policy to not ship any shark fin products,” Phoonsak Chumchuay, the managing director of Thai Airways’ cargo division, said yesterday.

“Thai Airways places great importance in protecting endangered species and the environment,” he said.

In a press release posted on the Thai Airways Facebook site late on Tuesday, the company said that it had a policy in place since July 15 to ban all shark fin products, and that it had avoided shipping shark fin for more than a year beforehand.

Shark fin is considered to be a delicacy in many parts of Asia, however it results in the slaughter of millions of apex predators each year.

The online campaign, which was started with a petition by Ob Saiyavath, a high school pupil, and turned viral when it was championed by the Oceanic Preservation Society and the Freeland Foundation.

“I do not claim the victory for myself, this is about the conservation of sharks not about me,” said Ob, 17.

“Our petition received over 1 000 signatures in just three days.

“This shows how strong the antishark fin community is,” he said.

The Oceanic Preservation Society called for a multi-continent protest at Thai Airways counters around the world on August 10. – Sapa-dpa