Rare Bird Smuggling Attempt Leads to Tourist’s Arrest in Thailand

According to an airport official, a Maldivian tourist was apprehended while attempting to transport 25 live birds, including black hawks, buffy fish owls, and barred eagle-owls, on a flight back to Male. All these birds are protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The incident took place at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, and the individual was detained by authorities.

Valued at approximately 100,000 baht, as estimated by the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), the birds seized from the tourist at Bangkok Airport were considered highly valuable.

“The tourist will be charged under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act as well as the Animal Epidemics Act and Customs Act”, said Prasert Sornsathapornkul, director of DNP’s wild fauna and flora protection division.

In Thailand, trafficking of wildlife carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.