A :   CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention. The convention became effective on July 1, 1975. The convention has 184 parties as of August 2022, including 183 states and the European Union. Thailand is the 80th member to ratify the Convention, which was signed in 1975 and ratified on January 21, 1983.   The purpose of CITES The purpose of CITES is to protect endangered wild animal and plant species by establishing a framework for countries to collaborate in order to ensure that plant and animal species do not become depleted due to international demand. However, Domestic trade within a country is not regulated by CITES, even if the species is on the CITES list.   How CITES works CITES regulates international trade in species of wild animal and plant, i.e., export, transit, re-export, and import of live and dead wild animals and plants, as well as parts and derivatives thereof, through a system of permits and certificates that can be issued if certain conditions are met and must be presented before leave or enter a country.   The CITES appendix The list of species on the CITES list is determined using scientific data, both taxonomy and Biological Parameter, such as population status, population trends, and distribution. Distribution, habitat availability, geographic trends, and threats are identified, and commercial use and legal status must be considered. There are three appendices to CITES that guide international trade based on how threatened each species is with extinction.   –  Appendix 1 offers the highest level of protection and includes species that are closest to extinction. These species can’t be legally traded, except under special circumstances like scientific research. Examples of wild animals on this list include: Red panda (Ailurus fulgens) Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) Chimpanzee (Pan spp.) Tiger (Panthera tigris subspecies) Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) Leopard (Panthera pardus) Jaguar  (Panthera onca) Cheetah  (Acinonyx jubatus) Asian elephant  (Elephas maximus) African elephants (Loxodonta africana) Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) Jullien’s golden carp (Probarbus jullieni) etc. Examples of wild plants on this list include: Pigeon orchid (Dendrobium cruentum) etc.   –  Appendix 2 includes plants and animals that are likely to be threatened with extinction if trade isn’t regulated. It also includes “look-alike” species that are similar to those listed in the appendices. International trade is permitted for plants and animals included in Appendix 2, but is monitored, limited and controlled with permits. Examples of wild animals on this list include: Savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) Great white shark (Carcharadon carcharias) American black bear (Ursus americanus) Hartmann’s mountain zebra (Equus hartmannae) Grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) Green iguana (Iguana iguana) Queen conch (Strombus gigas) American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) etc. Examples of wild plants on this list include: Guaiac wood (Guaiacum officinale) Siamese rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis) etc.   – Appendix 3 includes species that are protected by at least one country, which requests cooperation from other governments to ensure that trade doesn’t threaten their survival. Examples of wild animals on this list include: Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) African civet (Civettictis civetta) Alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) etc. Examples of wild plants on this list include: Gnetum montanum Markgr etc.     Reference: Website of The Forest Industry Organization (www.fio.co.th) 2. Website of International Fund for Animal Welfare (www.ifaw.org)