Wildlife Smuggling Foiled at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok
Thai wildlife officers intercept a Taiwanese passenger at Don Mueang International Airport, uncovering a brazen attempt to smuggle rare animals out of the country.
Protected Animals Found in Airport Smuggling Attempt
Officers at the Don Mueang wildlife checkpoint detain 54-year-old Chiu Kuo-shu after an X-ray scan reveals suspicious objects on his body. Chiu, bound for Kaohsiung International Airport in Taiwan, is stopped around 1am, hours before his scheduled 2.35pm departure.
A search uncovers a shocking haul: two slow lorises, one squirrel, three otters, and two Asian box turtles. Each animal is stuffed into mesh bags and hidden inside pairs of tights under Chiu’s clothing.
Officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) confirm the incident on their official Facebook page. The rescued animals are immediately handed over to the DNP for examination and care.
Multiple Charges and Severe Penalties Await Suspect
Chiu now faces four serious charges. These include possessing and exporting protected wildlife without permission under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act, violating customs procedures, and breaching the Animal Epidemics Act.
Penalties range from up to ten years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 1 million baht, to further penalties under customs and animal health laws. Authorities stress the gravity of the offences, with one official stating, “Wildlife smuggling threatens our biodiversity and will not be tolerated.”
Repeat Offences Highlight Ongoing Smuggling Problem
This is not an isolated case. In December last year, another Taiwanese national was arrested at Suvarnabhumi International Airport for attempting to smuggle a prairie dog and two Asian small-clawed otters in his underwear.
The DNP urges travellers to respect Thailand’s strict wildlife protection laws. The agency continues its crackdown on illegal animal trafficking, vowing to bring offenders to justice.
Bangkok Airport Smuggling Case Sparks Concern
The Don Mueang incident puts a spotlight on the ongoing battle against wildlife smuggling in Thailand. With rare animals at risk, authorities remain vigilant at all major airports, determined to protect the country’s natural heritage.
The story Taiwanese man caught smuggling live animals at Bangkok airport as seen on Thaiger News.