Bangkok: The government is advancing with three strategic measures to care for the "Red-whiskered Bulbul" following its removal from the protected wildlife list, thus promoting legal breeding alongside conservation efforts.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, disclosed that under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's leadership, the government is addressing breeding restrictions for the Red-whiskered Bulbul. This initiative follows the Cabinet's resolution on July 21, 2026, which approved the principles of a draft Ministerial Regulation. This regulation proposes the removal of the Red-whiskered Bulbul from the protected wildlife list, fostering breeding initiatives to align with current circumstances and support economic development, particularly in the southern region where these birds have cultural significance.
Following the Cabinet's decision, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, enacted the necessary steps by signing the Ministerial Regulation, which was published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026, and came into effect on September 1, 2026. This regulation enables legal breeding, propagation, and trading of the Red-whiskered Bulbul under relevant laws.
The Deputy Spokesperson stated that this deregulation alleviates previous restrictions, offering breeders the opportunity to legally breed and utilize the Red-whiskered Bulbul, potentially transforming it into a profession and income source. However, the government emphasizes conserving wild populations to avoid illegal poaching, establishing three measures for sustainable utilization and conservation.
The first measure focuses on enhancing the protection of Red-whiskered Bulbuls in natural forest areas, enforcing laws in protected zones, and establishing proactive measures against illegal trapping and trafficking networks. This includes intelligence gathering, information dissemination, and fostering local community collaborations.
The second measure involves systematic regulation of Red-whiskered Bulbul populations outside their natural habitat. This includes collaboration with breeders' networks to survey and control bird movement and improving animal welfare and conservation awareness.
The third measure seeks to upgrade breeding practices to align with legal standards, involving farm and cage improvements, expert supervision, and creating a database of breeders to standardize commercial breeding practices.
Ms. Lalida noted that the Cabinet's July 21 resolution, followed by the ministerial regulation's publication and effect, demonstrates the government's responsiveness to public and conservationist concerns, ensuring legal breeding while maintaining natural habitat protections.
The Deputy Spokesperson further emphasized that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will monitor the wild population of the Red-whiskered Bulbul and take corrective action if illegal hunting threatens their numbers, maintaining a balance between public utilization and conservation.