Indian Man Caught Smuggling Wildlife at Suvarnabhumi Airport

A 26-year-old Indian national has been arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport for attempting to smuggle protected wildlife out of Thailand, authorities confirmed on 14 April 2026. The suspect was intercepted late on 13 April while preparing to board Thai Airways flight TG313 from Bangkok to Kolkata. Officials discovered live and dead animals hidden in his luggage, highlighting ongoing efforts to crack down on international wildlife trafficking.

Get today's headlines by email

The arrest followed a coordinated operation led by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation after a tip-off was received by Director-General Atthapol Charoenchansa. Officers from multiple agencies, including customs, fisheries, livestock, airport security and environmental crime police, conducted a search at the oversized baggage area on the fourth floor of the departure terminal. Inside a silver suitcase, they found six plastic baskets containing one live gibbon, one gibbon carcass, 20 live chameleons and 18 live Japanese turtles mixed with personal belongings.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said he had ordered strict legal action against the suspect, stressing that wildlife trafficking is a serious offence that damages the country’s reputation. “I commend the officials for their strong performance. This is a serious illegal act and must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, without exception,” he said. Authorities have charged the suspect under several laws, including the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act 2019, the Customs Act 2017, the Animal Epidemics Act 2015 and the Fisheries Royal Ordinance 2015.

Two mobile phones belonging to the suspect were also seized as evidence to help expand the investigation and identify possible accomplices in the smuggling network. The case has been handed over to investigators at Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station for further legal proceedings. Officials believe the operation may be linked to a larger transnational wildlife trafficking ring.

All confiscated animals have been transferred to the Wildlife Conservation Office and relevant fisheries checkpoints for care, species identification and rehabilitation. Authorities said the animals will be closely monitored to ensure their survival and proper handling.

Matichon reported that the government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening enforcement against wildlife crimes and improving inter-agency cooperation. Further investigations are ongoing, with officials aiming to dismantle the wider network behind the smuggling attempt.

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

Related stories

Two-Taiwanese-arrested-for-wildlife-smuggling-at-Don-Mueang

Police-arrest-wildlife-traders-selling-spectacled-langur-in-Bangkok

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 15 Apr 2026