SONGKLA: The Thai Customs Department detained a Malaysian man after seizing various wild animals including two 60-day-old orangutans at the Padang Besar immigration checkpoint today.
Padang Besar acting chief, Athit Wisutisamajan, said all the seized animals – including 39 Hamilton tortoises, Indian Star tortoises and six racoons – worth 1 million baht (about RM125,000) were meant to be sold to a syndicate in Hatyai.
“The 63-year-old man confessed to having brought all the wild animals from Kuala Lumpur to be sold to a syndicate in Hatyai,” he said here today.
Athit added that the animals were placed in three large suitcases hidden in a Penang-registered car.