According to the president of the South East Asian Zoos Association, a THB600 million loan needed to maintain possession of the giant panda Lin Ping pales in comparison to the revenue that the panda and its family generates.
Former Director of the Zoological Park Organizations, Sophon Dumnui, has added that these pandas provide THB3 billion yearly to the province of Chiang Mai. The giant panda was slated to be sent back to China on May 27. However, Thailand has asked the Chinese government to let the panda remain a while longer.
The loan was criticized by the founder of Friends of the Asian Elephant Foundation, Soraida Salwala, who stated that the money from the loan would be better spent in saving the elephants of Thailand.
In reply, Mr. Sophon insisted that the Thai government is not neglecting its local elephants, the Bangkok Post reported.
