Bangkok
Thai authorities at Suvarnabhumi International Airport arrested a 19-year-old Taiwanese woman on April 28th, 2026, after discovering 30 protected Indian Star Tortoises hidden on her person as she prepared to board a flight to Taipei.
Officials from the wildlife checkpoint, working with customs officers, immigration police, and airport security, became suspicious of the woman’s behavior at a security screening point in the departure area (Zone 3 East, 5th floor of the terminal). A detailed body search revealed the tortoises concealed under her clothing.
The suspect had restrained the animals by taping them with adhesive paper to limit movement, placing each in small cloth bags, and attaching them directly to her body in an apparent attempt to evade X-ray scanners and visual detection.
Of the 30 Indian Star Tortoises (*Geochelone elegans*), 29 were still alive and one was dead. The species, native to India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, is listed under CITES Appendix I, providing the highest level of international protection against commercial trade. It is highly sought after in the illegal exotic pet market, where specimens can fetch significant prices.
The woman, a passenger on VietJet Air flight VZ568 bound for Taipei, was detained and transferred to Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station for further questioning. She faces multiple charges under Thai law, including violations of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562 (Sections 19 and 23) for unauthorized export of protected wildlife, the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (Sections 242 and 252) for attempting to export restricted items while evading controls, and the Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 for exporting animals without required permits.
The live tortoises were handed over to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for urgent care, species verification, and potential use as evidence in tracing any smuggling networks. The deceased specimen will also serve as evidence.
This incident shows ongoing efforts by Thai authorities to curb wildlife smuggling, particularly of CITES-listed species like the Indian Star Tortoise, which is frequently targeted for the black market in East Asia. Officials have focused on heightened vigilance at airports in line with directives from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The case remains under investigation.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
