A Chinese couple were arrested yesterday at their expensive home in Pattaya for allegedly withkeeping two lions without the necessary permits. There are also suspicions that the couple may have unlawfully imported a Ferrari and a Rolls-Royce vehicle.

 

Following a tip that the foreign couple living in the luxurious home were in possession of illegal items, officers from Nongprue Police Station and the Office of Natural Resources Conservation Area 2 (Sriracha), conducted a raid of the home located in the Bang Lamung region of Pattaya on July 4. The couple's identities have not been disclosed.

 

The house which reportedly belonged to the couple had two Thai employees who were on the premises at the time of the raid. The officers found that a section of the house had been transformed into an animal pen bearing a striking resemblance to a zoo. They observed two lions within the pen which was encased by a glass window.

 

 

The authorities asked to see paperwork authorizing legal possession of the lions, but the couple could not provide the requested documents. Information about the health condition and living standards of the male lions has not been provided.

 

The authorities also discovered a Ferrari and Rolls-Royce SUV in the garage. The officers suspected that these luxury vehicles could have been unlawfully brought into the country, bypassing custom protocols. Therefore, these vehicles were seized for more probing.

 

The couple have been initially charged under Section 19 of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act for having controlled animals without the necessary permits. The charge carries a penalty of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to 10,000 baht. More charges may be added if further violations are found.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-07-05

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

So, it seems like they are toast.

The issue with lions I can understand.

But possession of  exaggerated value  vehicles that possibly have been  recycled within the  "confiscation " more than once ?

No mention of legitimacy of presence or property ? "Unlawful " importation  or failure to pay the extortionist taxes ?

In a related question what does happen to vehicles seized ? To the crusher? lmao !

 

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The authorities also discovered a Ferrari and Rolls-Royce SUV in the garage. The officers suspected that these luxury vehicles could have been unlawfully brought into the country, bypassing custom protocols. Therefore, these vehicles were seized for more probing.

I bet they won't find their way to an auction.

wow  !   two lions in the house,   a Rolls-Royce and the Ferrari .....   

 

the Chinese couple had good taste ....

I would think lions trump pit bulls as a burgler deterant.Eaten not bitten.

 

But allowing people to keep these animals as pets on a private property ?

 

No, you have to draw the line somewhere.

I saw a black man driving a convertible with a lion cub in his lap last year.

 

In Pratumnak beach road/alley where one turns into Soi 5 next to 7/11 and Sands restaurant.

 

It turned quiet a few heads, including mine.

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

suspected that these luxury vehicles could have been unlawfully brought into the country, bypassing custom protocols. Therefore, these vehicles were seized for more probing.

 

Somebody liked the vehicles and wants to have them in his own garage ...

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Following a tip that the foreign couple living in the luxurious home were in possession of illegal items, officers from Nongprue Police Station and the Office of Natural Resources Conservation Area 2 (Sriracha), conducted a raid

Why does every police-raid story begin with the above first three words?  Why are the police incapable of doing their work themselves without help from the public?

28 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Why does every police-raid story begin with the above first three words?  Why are the police incapable of doing their work themselves without help from the public?

Tips are quite common in Police work.

 

Drug dealers/sales happening in ones neighborhood.  Bet your ass the locals will tip off the police.

 

How would the Police have known what was going on in that home without a tip?

Transporting a roller, a Ferrari and 2 lions completely unnoticed? I suppose in containers. But unloading the lions? Did they have a tamer on hand? What do they feed them on? The picture suggests they're free to roam around. All in all, a totally bizarre story. And not far from where I live. I'm probably lucky to be alivaaaaggggghhh

Q: what do the lions eat

 

A: buglars

1 hour ago, G_Money said:

Tips are quite common in Police work.

 

Drug dealers/sales happening in ones neighborhood.  Bet your ass the locals will tip off the police.

 

How would the Police have known what was going on in that home without a tip?

Tip off the police that 100's of motorcycles are illegally parked. Tip the police off that farm fields are illegally being burnt. Be sure to provide a map to aid in finding... Tip off the police that structures are illegally built on the sea side of walking street....

Tip off the police that they are supposed to enforce laws....

How do you suddenly end up with two lions 😳 

Not like it's a chipmunk you are smuggling around , nevermind the obvious noise when they roar ! 😀

I guess some drunken driver is going to popup on this thread now.....apoplectic that someone has SNITCHED on this lovely Chinese couple.

4 hours ago, bradiston said:

The picture suggests they're free to roam around.

The picture misleads you. Nothing from Pattaya, unrelated.

 

10 hours ago, bradiston said:

Transporting a roller, a Ferrari and 2 lions completely unnoticed? I suppose in containers. But unloading the lions? Did they have a tamer on hand? What do they feed them on? The picture suggests they're free to roam around. All in all, a totally bizarre story. And not far from where I live. I'm probably lucky to be alivaaaaggggghhh

 

just imagine if you've just had a big feed for dinner and you live nearby and decide to go for an evening walk .... and you accidently get lost and end up on that grassy patch ...        and they haven't locked Leo or Caesar up yet or fed them ..

So the lions were not confiscated. What next for them?

11 hours ago, Emdog said:

Tip off the police that 100's of motorcycles are illegally parked. Tip the police off that farm fields are illegally being burnt. Be sure to provide a map to aid in finding... Tip off the police that structures are illegally built on the sea side of walking street....

Tip off the police that they are supposed to enforce laws....

TIT

23 hours ago, steven100 said:

wow  !   two lions in the house,   a Rolls-Royce and the Ferrari .....   

 

the Chinese couple had good taste ....

But no Jaguar?

22 hours ago, G_Money said:

Tips are quite common in Police work.

 

Drug dealers/sales happening in ones neighborhood.  Bet your ass the locals will tip off the police.

 

How would the Police have known what was going on in that home without a tip?

Leaving the office once in a while?  

'Transporting a roller, a Ferrari and 2 lions completely unnoticed?'

On 7/6/2024 at 6:54 AM, Denim said:

I would think lions trump pit bulls as a burgler deterant.Eaten not bitten.

 

But allowing people to keep these animals as pets on a private property ?

 

No, you have to draw the line somewhere.

Apparently, it is legal in Thailand to keep Lions at home, but you must have the correct paperwork, and also you cannot move them around from location to location without a permit!!

On 7/6/2024 at 8:35 AM, mikebell said:

Why does every police-raid story begin with the above first three words?  Why are the police incapable of doing their work themselves without help from the public?

Nearly every arrest is following a tip off.

 

Trust is a rare commodity here.