Thai Authorities Seize 126 Reptiles Hidden in Airport Mail
Thai authorities intercepted 126 live reptiles, including ball pythons and tortoises, hidden in mail parcels falsely labeled as dried fruit and bound for the Philippines at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. The animals were packed in cloth ba
Bangkok — Suvarnabhumi Airport officials have seized more than 120 live reptiles, including ball pythons, hidden in two postal parcels falsely declared as dried fruit snacks and food and bound for the Philippines.
The seizure was made by officers from the Suvarnabhumi Airport Wildlife Checkpoint under the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, working with the Customs Department's investigation and suppression unit and the Suvarnabhumi Postal Centre.
The operation followed a risk assessment targeting the illegal export of prohibited items through the Suvarnabhumi Postal Centre and the outbound cargo inspection facility in the Free Zone at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan.
During X-ray screening of two international registered postal parcels, officers spotted objects resembling living creatures and carried out a detailed inspection.
The parcels were sent from Surat Thani province and were falsely declared as "dried fruit snacks and food", with the destination listed as the Philippines. When opened, officers found live reptiles packed in cloth bags and transparent plastic containers.
The haul consisted of four sulcata tortoises, 16 iguanas, 88 ball pythons and ornamental snakes, 16 tegus, spiny-tailed lizards and bearded dragons, and two leopard geckos.
The two parcels weighed more than 18 kilogrammes in total.
Komkrit Pinsai, head of the Suvarnabhumi Airport Wildlife Checkpoint, said the illegal international shipment of wildlife by post was not only a serious offence but also caused suffering to the animals and posed a risk of spreading infectious diseases.
Authorities have stepped up cooperation among relevant agencies to strengthen screening measures, including analysing shipping patterns and using detection technology, to prevent Thailand from being used as a transit route for the illegal wildlife trade, he said.
The seized animals were confiscated and the case was filed under Section 23 of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act 2019 for exporting regulated wildlife without permission; Section 242 in conjunction with Sections 166 and 167 of the Customs Act 2017; and Section 31 of the Animal Epidemics Act 2015.
The case has been handed to investigators at Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station, who will gather evidence and track down the sender and other people involved for legal action.
All the live animals have been handed over to the Wildlife Health Management Group under the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for further care.
