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Couple Arrested for Stealing Exotic Animals, Linked to Bangkok Pet Theft Ring

Couple Arrested for Stealing Exotic Animals, Linked to Bangkok Pet Theft Ring

Thairath•Society•18d ago

Reader Briefing

A married couple has been apprehended for stealing exotic animals from two zoos in Bangkok and its surrounding areas, with the investigation uncovering a wider pet theft ring connected to drug trafficking.

  • •Police arrested a couple, 26 and 27 years old, for stealing exotic animals from two zoos.
  • •The stolen animals, including a squirrel monkey named 'Nong Marsh', a crocodile lizard, and a tiger salamander, were being traded for drugs.
  • •The investigation has linked the couple to at least three major theft incidents across Bangkok and the metropolitan region.

Overview

  • •On March 20, 2026, the suspects jointly committed theft of 29 turtles and 1 meerkat from under the house of a victim in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
  • •On April 30, 2026, the suspects jointly stole a squirrel monkey named 'Nong Marsh' from the Friend's Zoo in Bang Khen.
  • •On May 1, 2026, the suspects jointly stole a crocodile lizard and a tiger salamander from the Pata Zoo in Pinklao.
  • •On May 7, 2026, at 11:30 AM, police arrested the suspects, Raviwint (26) and Warissara (27), at a residence in Don Mueang.
  • •Police seized a variety of stolen exotic animals, including a squirrel monkey ('Nong Marsh'), a crocodile lizard, a tiger salamander, snakes, a raccoon, and tortoises.
  • •The suspects were allegedly trading exotic animals for illicit drugs in the Don Mueang area.
  • •Pol. Maj. Gen. Teeradech Thammasuthee stated the criminal acts are linked to drug trafficking and pose a threat to society.
  • •Authorities are continuing to investigate the animal theft network and potential drug connections.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Pol. Maj. Gen. Teeradech Thammasuthee
"“This type of act is not just theft of animals, but also linked to drug-related behavior, which is a widespread threat to society. Therefore, officials must accelerate the investigation of both the animal theft network and potentially linked drug routes to prosecute according to the law."
“การกระทำลักษณะนี้ไม่เพียงเป็นการลักทรัพย์สัตว์เท่านั้น แต่ยังมีความเชื่อมโยงไปถึงพฤติการณ์เกี่ยวข้องกับยาเสพติด ซึ่งเป็นภัยต่อสังคมในวงกว้าง เจ้าหน้าที่จึงต้องเร่งขยายผลทั้งเครือข่ายลักทรัพย์สัตว์และเส้นทางยาเสพติดที่อาจเชื่อมโยงกัน เพื่อดำเนินคดีตามกฎหมาย.

Key Entities

Person

Raviwint(นายไรวินทร์)
A 26-year-old suspect arrested for participating in the theft of exotic animals from zoos.
Warissara(น.ส.วริศรา)
A 27-year-old suspect arrested for participating in the theft of exotic animals from zoos.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom(พล.ต.ท.สยาม บุญสม)
Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (CPB) involved in the investigation of the animal theft case.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Phallop Aeromlha(พล.ต.ต.พัลลภ แอร่มหล้า)
Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (CPB) involved in the operation.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Teeradech Thammasuthee(พล.ต.ต.ธีรเดช ธรรมสุธีร์)
Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (CPB) who stated the connection between animal theft and drug trafficking.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chotiwat Luangwilai(พล.ต.ต.โชติวัฒน์ เหลืองวิไล)
Commander of the Investigation Bureau of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (CPB) involved in the case.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Kiattikul Sonthinen(พล.ต.ต.เกียรติกุล สนธิเณร)
Commander of Police Region 2 (N.2) involved in the investigation.
Pol. Capt. Thanyaporn Sit Julpipop(พ.ต.ท.ธัญพีรสิษฐ์ จุลพิภพ)
Investigator at the Investigation Unit 3, Investigation Bureau, Metropolitan Police Bureau (CPB).
Pol. Col. Athiwatch NutThaworn(พ.ต.อ.อธิวัฒน์ นุชถาวร)
Director of Bang Yi Khan Police Station, who led the evidence gathering for arrest warrants.
Pol. Col. Anan Vorsart(พ.ต.อ.อนันต์ วรสาตร์)
Director of Bang Khen Police Station, who assisted in gathering evidence for the arrest warrants.
Squirrel monkey named 'Nong Marsh'(ลิงกระรอกชื่อว่า “น้องมาร์ช”)
A signature squirrel monkey stolen from Friend's Zoo, which was traded for drugs.

Organization

Narcotics Suppression Bureau, Metropolitan Police Bureau (NSB, MPB)(ศอ.ปส.บช.น.)
An agency within the Metropolitan Police Bureau that received a tip-off leading to the arrest of the animal thieves.
Bang Yi Khan Police Station(สน.บางยี่ขัน)
A police station that participated in the arrest of the suspects and is investigating the case.
Criminal Court(ศาลอาญา)
The court that issued arrest warrants for the suspects.
Bang Khen Police Station(สน.บางเขน)
A police station that collaborated with Bang Yi Khan Police Station in gathering evidence and issuing arrest warrants.
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Police Station(สภ.พระนครศรีอยุธยา)
The police station covering the area where the theft of turtles and a meerkat occurred.

Place

Friend's Zoo(สวนสัตว์ เพื่อน เดรัจฉาน)
A zoo from which a squirrel monkey named 'Nong Marsh' was stolen.
Pata Zoo Pinklao(สวนสัตว์ พาต้า ปิ่นเกล้า)
A zoo from which a crocodile lizard and a tiger salamander were stolen.
Bangkok-Metropolitan Region(กรุงเทพ-ปริมณฑล)
The geographical area where the suspects committed pet theft incidents and were eventually apprehended.

Law

Yaba (methamphetamine pills)(ยาบ้า)
An illegal drug that the suspects allegedly traded stolen exotic animals for.
Exotic animals(Exotics (สัตว์แปลก))
A category of animals, many of which were stolen by the suspects from zoos.