Officials Bust Major Wildlife Trafficking Op at Thai-Laos Border

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

In a significant move against illegal wildlife trading, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, along with multiple agencies, has dismantled a trafficking network at the Jam Pong checkpoint. This operation led to the arrest of two Laotians with over 100 kilograms of rare animal carcasses intended for illegal sale.

The operation, conducted on June 25, was spearheaded by Chaincharn Sriyong, head of the Office of Prevention and Suppression Support 3 (Northern Region). He was supported by teams from the Chiang Khong Wildlife Checkpoint, the Patrol Unit of the Conservation Area Administration Office 15, the Livestock Checkpoint Patrol Unit in Chiang Rai, and officials from the 4th Division of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED).

The raid occurred in the Wiang Kaen district of Chiang Rai province, near the border with Laos. Authorities discovered a significant amount of rare wildlife carcasses, resulting in the arrest of two suspects from Laos.

Among the seized items were two large porcupines, a clouded monitor lizard weighing 1 kilogram, a binturong weighing 9 kilograms, five porcupine carcasses weighing 23 kilograms, and 22 barking deer carcasses weighing 68 kilograms. In total, these carcasses weighed 101 kilograms.

The suspects, a man and a woman, are currently in custody. Authorities are intensifying investigations to uncover more about this cross-border trafficking network. The seized carcasses have been transferred to Wiang Kaen Police Station for further investigation and will be managed by the Chiang Rai Animal Quarantine Station. They will be incinerated according to legal procedures.

This crackdown is part of a broader government initiative to combat illegal wildlife trade, strongly supported by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. The policy calls for increased patrols and tougher inspections, focusing on border areas and natural routes that are prone to smuggling activities. By enhancing cooperation across agencies, officials aim to protect endangered wildlife and curb illegal trading networks.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-26