Husband and Wife Thieves Arrested for Stealing Pangolin from Pata Zoo; Found Trading Animals and Squirrel Monkeys for Drugs
A husband-and-wife theft duo arrested in February were found stealing exotic animals from zoos across Bangkok and attempting to trade them for drugs in the Don Muang district. Police recovered multiple stolen animals including a beloved squ
On February 6, 2025, Deputy Police Commissioner Samarani Nualma, along with Deputy Commissioner Krisda Kanchanalong and numerous other senior police officials, ordered the arrest of two suspects: a 26-year-old male named Rai and a 27-year-old female named Wari, both charged with theft and property damage using a vehicle.
The pair had a documented history of three theft incidents:
1. March 20, 2024: Theft from under a residential house in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 2. April 30, 2024: Theft of a squirrel monkey named "March" from Pae Mon Friend Zoo, the zoo's beloved mascot 3. May 1, 2024: Theft of one saltwater crocodile and one tiger-striped salamander from Pata Zoo
Police seized multiple animals during the search including squirrel monkey "March," one saltwater crocodile, one tiger-striped salamander, five snakes, one raccoon, one tortoise, and other animals still under investigation.
The arrest followed an unusual tip to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau that a husband and wife couple were seen carrying animals into drug distribution areas in the Don Muang district, attempting to trade a pangolin for narcotics. After investigation, authorities identified the suspects as teenagers living in the Don Muang area with a pattern of animal theft across Bangkok and its surrounding areas.
Detailed investigation revealed their latest crimes occurred on April 30, 2024, when they stole "March" from Pae Mon Friend Zoo in Bang Khun, and on May 1, 2024, when they stole the crocodile and salamander from Pata Zoo in Pin Klao. Police tracked them to their residence and discovered numerous stolen animals. Officers also found an apartment in Don Muang where the suspects were hiding animals for sale.
Deputy Police Commander Theeradej Thammasudeer stated: "This criminal activity goes beyond simple animal theft—it involves connections to drug trafficking, a serious threat to society. Officers must expand the investigation to cover both the animal theft network and drug trafficking routes that may be interconnected, in order to prosecute these crimes according to the law."
