11/05/2026
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11/05/2026
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BANGKOK, May 11: Thailand police have arrested nine suspects in what authorities described as the country’s largest ivory seizure in a decade, following a cross-border wildlife trafficking investigation spanning seven provinces.
Officials said the ivory, valued at around $300,000 and smuggled by ship from Africa, was seized during coordinated raids conducted on Thursday by anti-wildlife trafficking units.
Patompong Thongchamroon of the national police’s environmental crime division said the case began after investigators discovered a private Facebook group allegedly used to sell illegally imported African ivory.
He said police spent months tracking the network before arresting nine Thai nationals identified as administrators responsible for listing ivory products for sale online.
Authorities said the seized items included cut ivory pieces, fragments, prayer beads, jewellery and knife handles, with buyers reportedly targeting customers in Thailand and Vietnam.
The suspects have been charged with illegal possession and trade of protected wildlife parts, offences that carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of one million baht (about $30,800), according to police.
Officials said the case highlights Thailand’s role as a transit hub for wildlife trafficking networks operating across Asia and Africa.
International trade in elephant ivory has been banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora since 1990, as both African and Asian elephants are classified as endangered species globally.
