Chumphon —
On December 21st, 2024, highway police in Chumphon arrested a man suspected of smuggling over 200 protected wild animals from Indonesia to Bangkok.
Thai authorities, in collaboration with natural resource crime units, acted on a tip-off that the animals would be transported via Satun and delivered to exotic pet enthusiasts in Bangkok.
The suspect, Sarawut, 43, was intercepted at a gas station in Sawi district. He admitted to being hired through a mobile messaging app to transport the animals for a fee of 10,000 baht.
The vehicle, carrying 17 baskets, included rare species such as a silver gibbon, Sulawesi bears, hornbills, short-clawed otters, snakes, lizards, and various exotic reptiles.
The suspect reportedly confessed to knowingly participating in the illegal operation due to the high payout. He was charged with possession of protected wildlife without a permit and handed over to the Natural Resources Crime Division for further legal action.
Investigators are reportedly well aware he was just the “mule” and are looking into the other members and organizers of the smuggling network.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
