Law
Red-Whiskered Bulbul Removed from Protected Wildlife List in Thailand
The Thai government has officially removed the red-whiskered bulbul from the protected wildlife list, allowing for legal breeding and trade under new regulations.
As reported by Khaosod Online, Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, announced that the red-whiskered bulbul—commonly known as the 'Krong Hua Juk' bird—is no longer classified as protected wildlife. This change follows the Ministerial Regulation (No. 4) B.E. 2569, which was published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026, and took effect on September 1, 2026.
Under the new framework, the breeding, propagation, and commercial trade of these birds are now legal, provided they adhere to specific regulatory criteria. Minister Suchart emphasized that this policy shift aims to support local breeders and enthusiasts. However, the government has implemented three strict measures to prevent abuse, most notably a total ban on hunting the birds in forest areas. Authorities have warned that any illegal poaching of wild birds will result in the species being immediately reinstated to the protected list.
For residents and visitors, this means that the presence of these birds in commercial settings or private homes will become more common. While the trade is now legalized, it remains essential to verify that any bird acquisition complies with the new official guidelines. It is yet to be confirmed how strictly these monitoring measures will be enforced in local markets and whether the population of wild birds will remain stable under the new regulations.