Taiwanese gang caught smuggling wild animals strapped to their legs

ARRESTED at Don Mueang Airport today (Oct. 17) were three Taiwanese men who were smuggling 52 wild animals strapped to their legs, Amarin TV said.

This followed the arrest of another Taiwanese man, Mr. Chiu, 54, on Oct. 7 with wild animals likewise wrapped around his legs including two slow loris, a squirrel, three otters and two spiny turtles.

Rounded up today were Mr. Hsu, 53, Mr. Hong, 40, and Mr. Yang, 36, with the following wild animals found strapped around their legs:

Three spiny turtles, one Indian star tortoise, one spider tortoise, 32 baby star tortoises, two star tortoises, four big-headed turtles, two mountain tortoises and seven Chinese crocodile lizards.

They were charged with possessing protected wildlife without permission and attempting to export protected and controlled wildlife without permission in violation of Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019); attempting to export goods that have not been cleared by customs and are prohibited and restricted under Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017); and attempting to export or transit goods through the country without permission under Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015).

All three suspects confessed to the charges and revealed that they were paid approximately 30,000 baht per smuggling trip each and had done it twice before being caught today with the wild animals being sold to animal enthusiasts.

CAPTION:

The three Taiwanese suspects arrested at Don Mueang Airport today, Oct. 17, 2025, and the wild animals they were smuggling out of the country. Photos – Amarin TV