A 31-year-old Indian national wanted in connection with an alleged transnational wildlife trafficking network was arrested by highway police in Nakhon Ratchasima after officers intercepted his vehicle on 7 July 2026.

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Highway Police Service Unit Khlong Phai, under Highway Police Division 6 in Nakhon Ratchasima, carried out the arrest after receiving information from Pol. Lt. Col. Korakot Yongyuen, Deputy Superintendent of Sub-Division 2 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division. Investigators had been tracking the suspect, identified only as Mr Manimaran, who was the subject of Central Tax Court arrest warrant No. 125/2569.

According to police, the warrant relates to allegations of attempting to export goods from Thailand without completing customs procedures, possessing protected wildlife without permission, possessing controlled wildlife without authorisation, and attempting to export animals from the Kingdom without the required approval. Authorities believe the suspect was linked to a transnational wildlife trafficking group.

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Police initially received information that the suspect was travelling in a white Toyota Fortuner, registration from Bangkok, to hide at his wife’s home in Krasang district, Buriram province. Following orders from Pol. Col. Wisanu Khamnonmuang, commander of Highway Police Division 6, officers launched an operation to locate and intercept the vehicle.

At 1.45pm, the vehicle was detected by the Highway Police Alert camera system in Sikhio district, Nakhon Ratchasima, travelling towards Bangkok. Officers from the Khlong Phai Highway Police Service Unit, led by Pol. Sub-Lt. Wech Boonthian, located the vehicle on Highway 2 inbound to Bangkok near kilometre marker 58 in Nong Nam Daeng subdistrict, Pak Chong district.

The vehicle was stopped and the driver identified as Mr Manimaran, who was able to speak and understand Thai. Police said he admitted he was the individual named in the arrest warrant.

Officers informed the suspect of the charges and his legal rights before taking him into custody. He was then handed over to investigating officers for further legal proceedings.

Daily News reported that the arrest highlights ongoing efforts by Thai authorities to track suspects linked to wildlife trafficking and enforce customs and wildlife protection laws. The investigation will now continue under the relevant authorities as legal proceedings move forward.

Investigativejournalism reports

Picture courtesy of Daily News

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 8 July 2026

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The only wildlife he’ll be seeing for a while is the lizards on the prison walls.

44 minutes ago, Nemises said:

The only wildlife he’ll be seeing for a while is the lizards on the prison walls.

Geckos and roaches and a few unknown creepy crawlies.