Poacher Pays For Monkey Business

THALANG: Phuket police have charged a 62-year-old man in connection with the poaching and killing of protected wildlife on Toh Sae Mountain. Ging Phollom, from Tambon Sri Soonthorn, Amphur Thalang, was arrested following a tip-off by members of the Toh Sae Mountain Walkers’ Club. He was found in possession of a monkey corpse, a live monitor lizard and a live turtle. Police said Ging was also carrying a knife. Pol Capt Sombat Thanawut, chief of patrol, Phuket Town police, said he received information from the Toh Sae Mountain Walker Club on December 30 that three people were attempting to capture monkeys in the area. The information led to the arrest of Ging. Ging faces a maximum penalty of four years’ jail and a 40,000 baht fine. The 150 members of the Toh Sae Mountain Walkers Club have become the unofficial guardians of about 300 monkeys who live on Toh Sae, regularly feeding them and keeping an eye out for poachers.