Samut Prakan:- Two Japanese men were arrested at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport Friday morning for allegedly trying to smuggle protected species, including turtles and snakes, out of the country.

The two were identified as Toshikazu Kawai, 39, and Naoki Hiraguchi, 39.

The arrest was announced by Kanit Issadul, the director of the customs control section at the airport.

Kanit said airport officials detected two bags with suspicious look so they alerted the customs officials. The customs officials then summoned the owners of the bags to open them and found that there were smuggled animals inside.

Kawai, who was carrying a Japanese passport No MU 2717494, was scheduled to fly a Thai Airways International’s Flight TG676 to Nagoya and Hiraguchi, who was carrying a Japanese passport No TH5153649, would leave on a THAI’s Flight 646 to Tokyo.

Customs officials found four rodents in Kawai’s bag. The animals were in a net cage covered with a white cloth bag.

The officials found 110 pig-nosed turtles, over 20 snakes, and 8 geckos in a brown box inside Hiraguchi’s bag.

The two said they bought the animals from the Chatucak Weekend Market for reselling in Japan. The animals had a total value of Bt500,000

The two were charged with violating the Customs Act and the Animal Disease Control Act by trying to smuggle the protected species out o the Kingdom of Thailand.

They were handed over to the Suvarnabhumi police station for legal actions and the animals were handed over to the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department for rehabilitation so that they could be released to the wild.

Of course, following this report, there will be a severe crack down on the illegal trading of endangered species at Chatuchak and other weekend markets.

In other news, Thailand Space Agency has announced a new date this year for their manned voyage to Mars.

Of course, following this report, there will be a severe crack down on the illegal trading of endangered species at Chatuchak and other weekend markets.

In other news, Thailand Space Agency has announced a new date this year for their manned voyage to Mars.

Can we volunteer those we wish to go to Mars?

It is good that they have found these creatures though. I hope they are released back into the wild and NOT captured again to be sent to market.

Why are their passport numbers relevant to journalistic content?

Agree with above why did you post their passport numbers? In many countries that act would be illegal as its personal information. Was it necessary, NO?

Of course, following this report, there will be a severe crack down on the illegal trading of endangered species at Chatuchak and other weekend markets.

In other news, Thailand Space Agency has announced a new date this year for their manned voyage to Mars.

Can we volunteer those we wish to go to Mars?

It is good that they have found these creatures though. I hope they are released back into the wild and NOT captured again to be sent to market.

Hopefully, let's hope the creatures smuggling protected species are also released into the wild.

As mentioned, how is that protected species can be openly sold at a market? Doesn't the Thai Wild Life Dept check these places?

It's not only Thailand which sells endangered species at an open market. Must be a general disregard for the environment.

I can't wait to see them reenact the crime at the market and see the sellers reaction.

Any idea what type of Rodent was found??

If Thailand can't improve their record on human trafficking, they will improve on animal trafficking. Good work, but don't forget the ivory trade while you're at it.

Any idea what type of Rodent was found??

I think they are Rattus rattus, oh sorry, you're talking about what was being smuggled, not those smuggling.

Why are their passport numbers relevant to journalistic content?

Very relevant if your paid by the word...

Any idea what type of Rodent was found??

I think they are Rattus rattus, oh sorry, you're talking about what was being smuggled, not those smuggling.

Rodents are very versatile

How on earth did they think they were going to get them thru the x-ray machine?

How on earth did they think they were going to get them thru the x-ray machine?

if they were really clever they could have placed said rodents in a place on their personage where they may never be found

Handed over to the National Parks etc Department. "OK lads, fire up the barbeque, open the lao khao!"

How on earth did they think they were going to get them thru the x-ray machine?

if they were really clever they could have placed said rodents in a place on their personage where they may never be found

Capture1.PNG

Is that an x-ray of Sir David Truscott?

How on earth did they think they were going to get them thru the x-ray machine?

if they were really clever they could have placed said rodents in a place on their personage where they may never be found

Capture1.PNG

Is that an x-ray of Sir David Truscott?

Its rumored to be an x-ray of Richard Gere