The Customs Department, together with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, arrested an Indian man smuggling live wildlife out of the country valued at over 200,000 baht.
On 14 April 2026, it was reported that Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul has set a policy to intensify efforts to seriously curb wildlife trafficking, emphasizing integrated cooperation among all relevant agencies to strictly inspect illegal wildlife trade under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act at all stages: origin, transit, and destination.
Dr. Aneknithi Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, has instructed the Customs Department to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to strengthen control over imports and exports, preventing wildlife trafficking and ensuring Thailand's firm and ongoing commitment to combating illegal wildlife trade.
Following this policy, Phanthong Loikulanun, Director-General of the Customs Department, and Nantthita Sirikupt, Customs Control System Development Advisor, have tightened inspections on all routes of illegal wildlife trade, especially focusing on concealed attempts to smuggle animals out of the country via airports, carried by passengers.
Santhanee Phairattanakorn, Director of the Passenger Customs Inspection Office at Suvarnabhumi Airport, disclosed that on 13 April 2026, the Customs Department through the Passenger Customs Inspection Office at Suvarnabhumi Airport and the Investigation and Suppression Division, in cooperation with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Suvarnabhumi Airport authorities, and relevant agencies, conducted a search and arrested an Indian male passenger traveling to Kolkata, India.
The search uncovered confiscated items including one live gibbon, one gibbon carcass, 20 live chameleon lizards, and 18 live Japanese turtles, with a total value exceeding 200,000 baht.
These actions constitute violations under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019), the Animal Epidemic Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the Fisheries Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017), and other related laws.