30-11-2023 (BANGKOK) In a startling discovery on November 29, authorities unearthed a gruesome stash of over 500 carcasses, featuring leopards, black panthers, clouded leopards, and Asian golden cats. The shocking find occurred at a residence in Ban Chang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Pathum Thani Province.
Crackdown Operation Led by Multi-Agency Collaboration
The crackdown was a result of a joint operation involving the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, officers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Thailand’s Department of National Park, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation. The focal point of the operation was the arrest of Mr. Kan Panyayong, a 41-year-old resident of Phrae province. The charges levied against him include “trafficking and possession of protected wildlife without permission.”
A Traced Trade Route: Unraveling the Facebook Connection
The investigation initiated at the beginning of 2023 when officials apprehended a suspect involved in the trade of Asian golden cat carcasses in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao District. The trail led them to a Facebook group named “Maew Pong Again,” where an order for these illegal items was discovered. Further scrutiny revealed that Mr. Kan was the administrator of this Facebook page, prompting authorities to gather evidence and secure an arrest warrant.
During interrogation, Kan admitted to serving as a middleman in the illicit trade, operating for approximately two years. Astonishingly, he claimed ignorance regarding the origin of the tiger carcasses he was dealing with.
The Economics of the Grisly Trade
Kan disclosed that a single tiger carcass commanded a price ranging from 40,000 to 50,000 baht. After procurement, the carcass would be dissected and segmented for resale, with the head fetching between 10,000 and 20,000 baht, and the body priced at 12,000 baht.
Amulet Manufacturers and Collectors
The disturbing revelation pointed towards the majority of consumers being collectors or organizations utilizing the illicit trade for the production of amulets. Following his arrest, Kan was taken to Subdistrict 1, Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, for further legal proceedings.
This chilling discovery not only exposes the depth of illegal wildlife trafficking but also underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts to curb such heinous practices.
