Thai authorities intercept wild animal smuggling ring, seize 1,200 snakes

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Thai authorities intercept wild animal smuggling ring, seize 1,200 snakes
By Digital Content



NONG KHAI, Jan 25 -- Police and officials from Thailand's National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department have arrested three smugglers and seized more than 1,200 snakes and other wild animals worth over Bt1 million en route to the Lao PDR and Vietnam.

Nong Khai provincial police and officials at the provincial wildlife checkpoint, in a combined operation, have arrested three smugglers identified as Saichon Sapimol, 34, a Lao, Thao Thongdaeng Panlang, age 30, 30 years old Lao and one Thai teenager age 17.

The three men were carrying 214 plastic baskets from their car to the Mekong River the provincial seat's Pako subdistrict.

Inside the plastic baskets, the authorities found 792 Indochinese rat snakes, 462 cobras, 30 black marsh turtles, eight soft-shelled turtles--altogether 1292 wild animals valued att more than Bt1 million.

They told the authorities that they were hired to transport the animals from Phichit, en route to Lao and Vietnam. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-01-25

[Costas2008]

"seized more than 1,200 snakes and other wild animals"

Somebody is very hungry in Vietnam

[Carl64]

Good work guys, keep it up!

[allan michaud]

It's a start but as they only arrested a 17 year old kid from Thailand it's clear the real smugglers on the Thai side have avoided any trouble.

[thailandbeachisland]

And then all these animals will be sold at Chatuchak NO PHOTO area ?

[tetleythedog]

"seized more than 1,200 snakes and other wild animals"

Somebody is very hungry in Vietnam

Most of the snakes here have 2 legs and are in Govt !!!!

[rickirs]

Was Suthep among the captured snakes?

[NeverSure]

I'd really like to watch someone seize 1200 snakes including 462 cobras.