2 Thais nabbed on charges of trading African ivory

Police said the arrests were the result of Thai efforts to more strictly enforce wildlife protection laws — amid concerns Thailand has become a hot spot for the illicit ivory trade that is growing in Asia.

"Thailand has been criticized for neglecting wildlife trafficking," said Col. Seubsak Chavalviwat, deputy commander of the police's Natural Resources and Environment division. "We had to step up and get more strict on these crimes."

Undercover officers purchased ivory from Samart Chokechoyma, 36, and Kanokwan Wongsaroj, 38, and DNA tests showed that it was of African origin, he said.

"We have evidence they were selling illegal ivory on the Internet to a customer in the United States," Seubsak said, without giving details.

The accused men, arrested Monday, could not be reached for comment.