Thai customs officials and army personnel arrested a Thai man at a border checkpoint in Mae Sot district of the western province of Tak yesterday (Tuesday), after they found about 9,100 Japanese and star tortoises hidden in eight pieces of luggage.

 

The haul was being smuggled from Myanmar and was destined for sale to pet collectors in Bangkok.

 

Prasert Sornsathapornkul, director of the Wildlife and Plant Protection Division, said that the seized wildlife includes about 9,000 Japanese turtles and about 100 star tortoises, which may be Myanmar or Indian star tortoises, both endangered species listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/9100-japanese-turtles-and-star-tortoises-seized-at-border-checkpoint-in-tak-province/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-09-29

 

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Custom guards are normally outran trying to catch them. Good job.

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The haul was being smuggled from Myanmar and was destined for sale to pet collectors in Bangkok.

Thailand is at the centre of many trafficking violations, be it human or animal.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

eight pieces of luggage

Surely that would raise a red flag?

At least they were for collectors, not lunch.  Still bad, but not as bad.

Another source reported they were owned by a shell company.......