BANGKOK – Thai Customs and wildlife officers stopped an attempted wildlife smuggling case at Suvarnabhumi Airport, arresting an Indian national after finding 15 live animals hidden inside checked luggage. The incident shows how often traffickers still try to move protected animals through Thailand’s busiest international airport.
Authorities identified the suspect as Naveen Kumar, 38, from India. He was about to board a Thai Airways flight to Kolkata, India, when officers selected his bags for inspection. After a closer search, they found the animals packed inside, including one langur, one gibbon, and 13 live Pulu and freshwater turtles, all believed to be protected species.
Officials transferred the animals to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and the airport Fisheries Inspection Office. Teams will confirm the species, provide care, and support recovery. Officers also stressed that the langur and gibbon are high-risk targets in the illegal exotic pet trade because of their rarity.
What Officers Found at the Airport
The seizure happened during routine screening at the airport’s wildlife checkpoint, which plays a central role in Thailand’s anti-smuggling work. Customs officers and wildlife protection staff noticed unusual signs during inspection, then opened the luggage and discovered the animals.
- Animals recovered
- 13 live Pulu and freshwater turtles (believed to fall under Thai protections and CITES controls)
- 1 live langur (a primate threatened by habitat loss and poaching)
- 1 live gibbon (an endangered ape from Southeast Asia)
These animals can bring high prices in illegal markets, especially in the exotic pet trade across parts of South Asia. Because primates reproduce slowly, even small seizures can point to bigger harm in the wild. Meanwhile, turtles often face heavy pressure from both the pet and food trades.
Officers detained Kumar at the airport. After that, investigators began preparing multiple charges tied to wildlife trafficking and illegal export.
Charges the Suspect May Face Under Thai Law
Thai authorities say the case involves serious violations of laws meant to protect wildlife and stop illegal exports.
- Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019): Covers possession, trade, and export of protected wildlife without permission. Penalties can include up to 10 years in prison and fines up to 1 million baht for trafficking protected species.
- Customs Act: Covers attempts to export restricted goods without declaring them. Penalties can include major fines, sometimes up to four times the value of the seized items, plus prison terms of up to 10 years.
- CITES-related rules: Thailand enforces the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species for listed animals, including gibbons (often under Appendix I) and some turtle species.
Because the animals may fall under protected or controlled categories, exporting them without approval is treated as a serious offense. Authorities are also looking into possible ties to a larger trafficking network.
Why Wildlife Smuggling Through Thailand Keeps Happening
Thailand remains a key transit point for the illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia. Demand for exotic pets, traditional medicine, and rare animals keeps trafficking profitable. As a result, smugglers often try to move live animals through airports like Suvarnabhumi by hiding them in luggage.
This trade puts strong pressure on already struggling species. For example, langurs and gibbons face habitat loss, and traffickers also take them from the wild. In many primate cases, poachers capture infants after killing adults, which breaks up groups and damages populations for years. At the same time, turtles face steady over-collection for both pets and consumption.
Recent enforcement actions show the problem has not slowed:
- Officers have made several seizures linked to India-bound flights.
- Cases continue to involve endangered apes and reptiles moving through Thai airports.
Thailand’s location and heavy passenger traffic make it a common target. Still, tighter screening has helped officials catch more attempts before animals leave the country.
Thailand’s Ongoing Push Against Wildlife Trafficking
Thailand has stepped up efforts to stop wildlife smuggling with stronger laws, closer cooperation with other countries, and more enforcement at key entry points.
Current measures include:
- Stronger penalties: The 2019 Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act raised punishments, and in some aggravated cases, penalties can reach up to 20 years.
- Wildlife checkpoints: Thailand operates 38 dedicated stations at airports, ports, and border areas to support enforcement of domestic rules and CITES.
- International cooperation: Agencies work with Interpol, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and groups such as the Wildlife Justice Commission. Joint actions in 2025 rescued orangutans and disrupted trafficking networks.
- Tools and training: Officers use advanced screening methods and join global operations, including Interpol’s 2025 effort that seized about 30,000 live animals worldwide.
- Stronger border enforcement: Agencies such as the DNP and the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division focus on intelligence sharing and staff training along key routes.
These steps have led to more seizures and arrests, which helps weaken trafficking groups. Even so, officials say long-term progress also depends on stronger regional teamwork and reduced demand.
This arrest at Suvarnabhumi Airport adds to a growing list of wildlife crime cases tied to air travel. Authorities urged the public to report suspicious activity, reminding travelers that protecting endangered species takes consistent attention from everyone.
