Wildlife trafficking bust: Over 100 animals seized in Thailand

Khaosod•Society•138d ago

Reader Briefing

Authorities in Phetchaburi have dismantled an international wildlife trafficking ring, arresting one suspect and seizing over 100 protected and CITES-listed animals.

•An international wildlife trafficking ring was busted by authorities in Phetchaburi.
•Over 100 protected and CITES-listed animals were seized from a transport vehicle.
•One suspect, identified as Mr. Sangob, was arrested and charged with possessing protected wildlife without a permit.
•The operation involved cooperation between Thai agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Overview

•On May 6, 2026, authorities received a report regarding a suspicious vehicle.
•Nitat Noon-song, Director of Regional Forest Conservation Office 3 (Phetchaburi Branch), led an operation.
•Officials inspected a suspicious Toyota pickup truck in Mueang Phetchaburi district, Phetchaburi province.
•The vehicle was suspected of transporting animals from the southern region.
•Authorities discovered a large quantity of wildlife, including birds, wallabies, echidnas, and snakes, in the truck.
•Mr. Sangob, the 49-year-old driver from Satun, was apprehended.
•Mr. Sangob confessed to illegally transporting the animals for sale.
•Authorities are investigating further to identify associated networks and verify the protected status of the seized animals.

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Key Entities

Person

Nitat Noon-song(นายนิทัศน์ นุ่นสง)

Director of Regional Forest Conservation Office 3 (Phetchaburi Branch) who led the operation to bust the wildlife trafficking gang.

Surasak Anumethangkoon(นายสุรศักดิ์ อนุเมธางกูร)

Director of the Wildlife Conservation Division in Phetchaburi who provided a report leading to the bust.

Ittipol Jaengrueang(นายอิทธิพล แจ้งเรือง)

Head of the Wildlife Conservation Patrol Unit involved in the operation.

Anurak Sakulpong(นายอนุรักษ์ สกุลพงษ์)

Veterinarian at Regional Forest Conservation Office 3 (Phetchaburi Branch) participating in the operation.

Mr. Sangob(นายสงบ)

The 49-year-old driver from Satun arrested for illegally transporting wildlife.

Organization

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)(สำนักงานกิจการปลาและสัตว์ป่าของสหรัฐฯ (FWS))ℹ️

United States agency that collaborated with Thai authorities in the wildlife trafficking bust.

Police Division 5, Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division(ตำรวจ กก.5 บก.ปทส.)

Thai police unit involved in the operation against wildlife trafficking.

Highway Police Unit 2, Phetchaburi(ตำรวจ ทล.2 กก.2 เพชรบุรี)

Highway police unit from Phetchaburi that participated in intercepting the animal transport vehicle.

Narcotics Suppression Operations Unit (NPSO)(เจ้าหน้าที่ชุดปฏิบัติการข่าวปราบปรามยาเสพติด (ชปส.))

Intelligence unit involved in drug interdiction that also participated in the wildlife trafficking operation.

Border Patrol Police Unit 144(ตำรวจ ตชด.ที่ 144)

Border Patrol Police unit that assisted in the wildlife trafficking operation.

Ch-Am Police Station(สภ.ชะอำ)

Police station where the suspect and seized wildlife will be handed over for legal proceedings.

Law

Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act B.E. 2019 (2019)(พรบ.สงวนและคุ้มครองสัตว์ป่า พ.ศ.2019)

The Thai law under which the suspect was charged for possessing protected wildlife without a permit.

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)(ไซเตส (CITES))ℹ️

An international agreement the seized animals were listed under, regulating their trade.

Place

Don Khun Huai Subdistrict, Cha-am District, Phetchaburi Province(ตำบลดอนขุนห้วย อำเภอชะอำ จังหวัดเพชรบุรี)

The location in Phetchaburi province where the suspicious vehicle was intercepted and the wildlife was seized.