The Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division police have arrested two Myanmar nationals and rescued a seven-month-old female black panther cub during a cross-border wildlife trafficking operation in Mae Sot, Tak province, on 9 April. Authorities said the animal, tried to be disguised by the smugglers as a black domestic cat, was being transported towards Myanmar, with a value estimated at 1.3 million baht.
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Officers from the division, alongside the Department of Special Investigation and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, carried out an inspection operation after receiving intelligence about wildlife smuggling routes from Cambodia through Thailand to Myanmar. The suspects were intercepted while collecting the animal at the border and a Myanmar-registered vehicle and transport equipment were seized as evidence.
Police Major General Anek Taosupap said the trafficking network used concealment tactics to avoid detection, including mislabelling the protected species. Initial questioning saw the suspects deny knowledge of the animal’s identity, claiming they were hired for 25,000 baht to transport it across the border. However, investigators found links to a wider multinational network involving actors from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
According to wildlife crime intelligence officials, the intended destination was the Shwe Kokko special economic zone in Myanmar, an area associated with foreign-backed illicit businesses and scam operations. Intelligence reports suggest some groups believe that keeping rare animals such as black panthers brings luck, prestige and business success, particularly in illegal online gambling enterprises.
Officials from the Department of National Parks stated that the cub had likely been raised by humans from a young age, making it too domesticated to survive in the wild. It will be transferred to the Khao Prathap Chang Wildlife Breeding Centre in Ratchaburi province for lifelong care.
The suspects face charges under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act 2019, which carries severe penalties including imprisonment and fines. Authorities are now coordinating with international law enforcement agencies to expand the investigation and dismantle the broader trafficking network.
Daily News reported that officials plan to pursue additional arrests linked to the cross-border syndicate and strengthen monitoring of wildlife trafficking routes. The case highlights ongoing challenges in combating illegal wildlife trade in the region.
Pictures courtesy of Daily News
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 10 Apr 2026
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