Police Chief Announces Arrest of Husband and Wife Exotic Animal Thieves; Room Search Yields Dozens of Animals—Suspects Claim They Were for Personal Collection, Not Sale
Police arrested a husband and wife in Bangkok for stealing exotic animals from multiple zoos, discovering 13 animals in their apartment including creatures taken from Pata Zoo and Samsen Zoo. The suspects admitted to the thefts but denied s
At 11:30 a.m. on May 7, 2025, Pol. Lt. Gen. Sayam Boonsom, Police Chief, accompanied by Pol. Maj. Thierdej Tharmsutheep, Deputy Police Chief, went to an apartment on Soi Kosumruamjai 14, Don Muang Subdistrict, Don Muang District to announce the arrest of two suspects in connection with the theft of exotic animals from Pata Zoo at Pata Pinklao Department Store.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Sayam and police officers searched the apartment and discovered evidence consisting of 13 exotic animals including snakes, raccoons, and Sulcata tortoises, along with stolen animals from Pata Zoo such as tiger-striped salamanders and Chinese crocodile geckos, as well as animals stolen from Samsen Zoo in Bang Khen, including baby squirrel monkeys.
Both suspects confessed before Pol. Lt. Gen. Sayam that they had committed the thefts from zoos. However, they denied selling the animals, claiming they kept them as personal pets, and they apologized for their actions.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Sayam revealed to the media that the arrest stemmed from a tip to the Narcotics Division of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police, led by Pol. Maj. Thierdej, regarding a drug investigation at the apartment. The male suspect had outstanding arrest warrants for drug offenses in other provinces and an arrest warrant for the Pata Zoo theft from Bang Yee Khen Police Station.
Operational units executed the arrest warrant and discovered numerous exotic animals in the suspects' room, particularly those stolen from Pata Zoo as well as those from Samsen Zoo.
Initially, both suspects admitted to stealing tiger salamanders and Chinese crocodile geckos from Pata Pinklao Zoo, and baby squirrel monkeys from Samsen Zoo in Bang Khen. They also confessed to previously stealing a Sulcata tortoise from Ayutthaya Province. Investigations continue regarding the origins of the other animals.
The suspects further revealed that they stole these animals to sell online and used the proceeds to purchase drugs. However, the theft was not commissioned by anyone—rather, both suspects had an interest in and knowledge of exotic animals.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Sayam stated that these exotic animals command high prices and are sought after by rare animal enthusiasts, generating substantial income. The suspects have engaged in this activity for over 2-3 years, constantly moving to different locations to evade arrest. The Don Muang apartment was only recently occupied, within the past week, specifically to avoid easy apprehension.
The suspects targeted locations selling or keeping exotic animals, including various zoos, monitoring Facebook pages and online information. In the case of Pata Pinklao Zoo, the male suspect first surveyed the area, then exploited blind spots in the CCTV coverage while the female suspect watched the cameras and blocked the view. The male suspect then reached into the enclosures and removed two animals, placed them in a bag, and exited the zoo during a time when few people were present.
All animals will be examined to determine their legal status, whether they were stolen property, and to identify which species are protected under wildlife conservation laws, in order to file appropriate charges.
