Thai man arrested for selling rare macaques on Facebook

[snoop1130]

 

A Thai man was apprehended in the Na Yong district of Trang yesterday for allegedly peddling macaques on Facebook.

 

The operation, led by officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, uncovered a live macaque stashed inside 26 year old Wutthichai Tunrat’s pickup truck.

 

Wutthichai faces serious charges including trading protected wildlife without permission and illegal possession of wild animals.

 

The crackdown came after authorities received a tip-off about macaques being illicitly sold on the Khon Rak Ling Kang Khuen Maphrao (Macaques Climbing Coconut Tree Lovers) Facebook page, with each animal priced at a staggering 2,500 baht.

 

An undercover police officer, disguised as a buyer, engaged with the suspect online and arranged a meeting on Na Yong-Yan Ta Khao Road. As Wutthichai arrived to deliver the macaque, expecting an easy payday, law enforcement swooped in for the arrest, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Under interrogation, the alleged trafficker admitted to possessing the animal but failed to furnish any legal documentation. He claimed to have stumbled upon the macaque in a forest, conveniently forgetting the legal ramifications of selling protected wildlife.

 

In related news, in a bid to tackle the escalating monkey mayhem in Lop Buri, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) teamed up with local authorities, unleashing a joint effort aimed at disciplining, relocating, and sterilising the troublesome urban macaques.

 

The historic Phra Prang Sam Yot temple in Mueang district has become a battleground for the bustling macaque population, notorious for raiding local communities and harassing visitors. To combat this menace, a memorandum of understanding was inked today, sealing the partnership between the department, Lop Buri municipality, and the provincial livestock development office.

 

In other news, the Phuket vice governor chaired a meeting on January 23 to discuss the issue of trespassing on Khao Toh Sae, Phuket, and the increasing cases of macaques attacking tourists and locals alike.

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Caption: Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-02-22

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

[sammieuk1]

The last time I went to Hua Hin beach the place was alive with these oversize rats, who the hell would want to buy one?🤔

 

 

[SingAPorn]

2 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

The last time I went to Hua Hin beach the place was alive with these oversize rats, who the hell would want to buy one?🤔

 

 

The local chinese restaurant owners maybe ?

[AndyAndyAndy]

"each animal priced at a staggering 2,500 baht" 

 

when I bought my purebred dog I paid 8,000 Baht and it was with no papers, I would expect a little bit more if it's really a precious endangered species worth going to prison for 🤔

[Aussie999]

9 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

The last time I went to Hua Hin beach the place was alive with these oversize rats, who the hell would want to buy one?🤔

 

 

I was on Hua Hin beach only 3 weeks ago, didn't se 1 monkey.

[steven100]

25 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

I was on Hua Hin beach only 3 weeks ago, didn't se 1 monkey.

you weren't near the bananas obviously

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A Thai man was apprehended in the Na Yong district of Trang yesterday for allegedly peddling macaques on Facebook

Numpty.

[Burma Bill]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

peddling macaques on Facebook.

 

Well I never!

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

No explanation given as to why the animals offered for sale are 'rare'

There are many populations of macaque monkeys throughout Thailand that are considered a nuisance and there have been attempts to control population growth through sterilisation.

Does this mean they will be also targetting owners who use trained macaques to climb coconut palms and harvest nuts?

 

 

 

[bristolgeoff]

illegal in thailand to sell across the water anything goes.He is just 1 of many doing this and chinese are the buyers

[Aussie999]

On 2/23/2024 at 7:35 AM, steven100 said:

you weren't near the bananas obviously

My banana was safely tucked away, in my pants, besides that, there were no bananas, anywhere near Hua Hin beach, and I walked the full length, and back, not only once. My mate lives in Hua Hin, he walks the beach a couple of times every week, he has never seen a monkey.

Edited February 25 by Aussie999