Bangkok, In a significant crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, Thai customs authorities apprehended six Indian nationals for attempting to smuggle a red panda and a host of other animals, totaling 87, including various species of snakes, parrots, and monitor lizards. The arrests took place at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport during a routine check of the passengers’ luggage.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the officials at Suvarnabhumi Airport uncovered the clandestine cargo concealed within the checked luggage of the suspects who were scheduled to board a flight to Mumbai. The seized animals included 29 black throat monitor lizards, 21 snakes, and 15 birds among others. Thailand’s role as a wildlife trafficking nexus has been underscored by this incident, with India emerging as an increasing destination for such illegal activities.
The Customs Department released a statement detailing the discovery and noting the species count. In accompanying photos, the visibly stressed animals were shown trapped in inadequate containers, such as a red panda in a wicker basket and a parrot in a plastic box with roughly made air holes.
This seizure is part of Thailand’s ongoing efforts to combat wildlife smuggling, which often routes through the country en route to markets in China, Vietnam, and now increasingly to India. The six individuals apprehended face severe legal repercussions for their actions, with penalties that could include up to ten years in prison or fines amounting to four times the value of the animals’ import duties, underscoring the serious nature of wildlife trafficking crimes.