A Malaysian national was caught attempting to smuggle 251 live wild animals out of Thailand through Suvarnabhumi International Airport, local authorities said.
According to Thai media outlet The Thaiger on Tuesday, Thai authorities discovered numerous live wild animals while inspecting passenger luggage near Boarding Gate F3 in Zone 3 of the international departures area at Suvarnabhumi Airport the previous day. The suspect, identified as Dasmond Kong Sing Chai, 34, a Malaysian national, was scheduled to board a flight from Bangkok to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, India.
During the luggage inspection, a large number of wild animals hidden in his suitcase came tumbling out. The seized animals totaled 251, including 62 iguanas, 5 monitor lizards, 100 blue-tongued skinks, 80 turtles, and 2 Patagonian maras. Thai authorities have charged the man with violations of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, the Customs Act, and the Animal Epidemics Act, and transferred him to the Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station for investigation. The rescued animals have been moved to a wildlife protection office for care. Investigators are also examining possible links to international wildlife trafficking organizations.
Athapol Charoenshunsa, director-general of Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), said the bust was "part of an intensive crackdown targeting international wildlife trafficking organizations that use Thailand as a transit point."
Wildlife smuggling attempts have been occurring repeatedly in Thailand. On the 29th of last month, a Taiwanese woman was caught trying to depart for Taipei with 30 Indian star tortoises hidden across her body just before boarding her flight. Last week, three Thai nationals were arrested at an airport in Ecuador while attempting to smuggle 12 marine iguanas. Authorities said one iguana died during the rescue process and the others were injured. The suspects were heading to an Asian country, although the final destination was not disclosed.
