21-11-2024 (BANGKOK) Thai authorities have apprehended a man operating an illicit online business selling accessories manufactured from protected wildlife species, primarily tiger parts, in a joint operation with U.S. wildlife enforcement officials.
The suspect, identified as Chit Pasut-angkun, was arrested at his residence in Nong Krod subdistrict of Muang district, Nakhon Sawan province, following a coordinated raid by Thai police, forest conservation officers, and representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Police Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division Commander, Police Major General Watcharin Phusit, revealed that the operation yielded a substantial cache of illegal wildlife products. The seized items included three complete tiger pelts, 44 tiger skin segments, 18 shoulder bags and wallets, nine belts crafted from tiger hide, 22 keychains featuring bear claws, and four bags made from snake leather.
The arrest stems from an extended investigation following last year’s crackdown on big cat trafficking networks. Intelligence gathered from these earlier operations led authorities to uncover a sophisticated manufacturing operation producing fashion accessories from protected species.
During questioning, Pasut-angkun reportedly admitted to establishing his illegal manufacturing enterprise earlier this year, utilising his home as a production facility. The suspect primarily marketed his products through online platforms, with prices ranging from 250 baht for bear claw keychains to 5,000 baht for premium bags.
