CIB Arrests ‘King Kong’ in Macaque Trafficking Case

Pictures courtesy of CIB

Police have arrested a 47-year-old man known as “King Kong” at his home in Sam Phran district, Nakhon Pathom province, in a major crackdown on an international long-tailed macaque trafficking network. The suspect, identified as Nananat or “King Kong”, was detained under a Nakhon Sawan Provincial Court warrant on charges of jointly hunting and possessing protected wildlife without permission. Authorities said the arrest represents a significant step in dismantling a cross-border wildlife crime syndicate.

The operation was carried out by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) through the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED). Officers executed the arrest at a residence in Soi Rai Khing 26, Rai Khing subdistrict, after confirming the suspect had fled there to evade capture. Items seized during the search included one wire cage used for trapping macaques, one holding basket and two mobile phones believed to have been used to contact trafficking networks.

The case stems from an earlier investigation into the illegal hunting of long-tailed macaques in the Khao No area of Nakhon Sawan province in September. Following the initial arrests, investigators expanded their enquiries and identified Nananat as a key coordinator behind the operation. Police said he played a central role in sourcing, hunting and arranging the sale of protected wildlife.

During questioning, the suspect confessed to the offences and detailed the structure of the trafficking network. He told police that he initially sold macaques to Thai buyers for 1,000 baht per animal before upgrading to a Cambodian military contact who paid 3,500 baht per macaque. In the most recent phase, he worked with a Lao woman identified as “Namfon” who transported the animals to the Nong Khai border for onward movement to Laos, or to Sa Kaeo province for transfer into Cambodia.

According to police, the animals were ultimately destined for buyers from Vietnam and China, who paid between 10,000 and 20,000 baht per macaque. The offences fall under Thailand’s Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562. The suspect has been handed over to investigators at Banphot Phisai Police Station to face legal proceedings.

Senior officers overseeing the operation included Pol Lt Gen Nattasak Chawanat, commander of the CIB, Pol Maj Gen Anek Taosupap, commander of the NED, and Pol Col Natkrit Noikampan. Authorities said further arrests are expected as the investigation continues.

Key Takeaways

• Police arrested a suspected ringleader in an international long-tailed macaque trafficking network.

• The suspect admitted selling protected wildlife across borders for escalating prices.

• Investigators are expanding the case to arrest remaining members of the network.

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 Adapted by Asean Now from CIB 2025-12-15