Frozen Chicken Legs Seized in Mango Sticky Rice Export Scam
Customs officials at Laem Chabang Port seized 51,000 kilograms of frozen chicken legs hidden in containers falsely declared as mango sticky rice bound for China, with the exporter facing legal action for unlicensed animal product export.
On July 28, Panthong Loikuldamned, director-general of the Royal Thai Customs Department, revealed that on July 27, customs officials at Laem Chabang Port, working with the Chachoengsao Animal Quarantine Station, port representatives, and exporters, inspected two suspicious export containers bound for China. The exporter declared the contents as 4,250 boxes of mango sticky rice totaling 51,000 kilograms. Upon inspection, officials found the containers actually held frozen chicken legs weighing 51,000 kilograms, valued at 4,827,265 baht. All goods were seized and legal proceedings have been initiated against those involved.
The offense constitutes unlicensed animal product export under Customs Act 2017 sections 202, 244, and 252, plus Animal Epidemic Act 2558 section 31. Panthong warned that if this shipment had succeeded, Thailand would lose international credibility and risk trade sanctions. Frozen chicken requires permits from both origin and destination countries due to disease risks such as avian flu and dangerous bacteria. Thailand could face suspension of poultry imports from trading partners, damaging export value. The customs department emphasizes strict enforcement to prevent illegal exports and maintain Thailand's export standards and compliance with international health protocols.
