The move follows criticism from Thai conservationists, as well as those in Kenya, which agreed last week to give Thailand 175 wild animals and birds to stock the Chiang Mai Night Safari where the Vareekunchorn restaurant will be located.
"There is one restaurant in Nairobi which serves various kinds of meat from commercially raised (exotic) animals, so I thought we could import meat from this restaurant and it would make the restaurant different," Plodprasop said.
"Thai people already have some exotic dishes like fried insects, ostrich and crocodile meat, which are legal, so I thought why not import some other kinds of meat that are available and legal in Kenya?"
But conservationists say the daily buffet of zebra, giraffe and crocodile would send the message that Thailand condones the trafficking and consumption of endangered animals.
"Trading animals is both immoral and against the law. What the government has done with Kenya makes Thailand seem like an uncivilized country using financial power as a condition to get natural resources from poorer countries, which in this case is wildlife," said Nikom Putta, director of Thai nongovernmental organization Wildlife Fund's northern region.
"That would worsen our image in the international arena regarding our animal protection standards, which in fact are very low."
Nikom said he was ready to team up with Kenyan wildlife activists, who also bristled at the planned animal buffet.
