SA KAEO — 15 May 2026, Thai livestock and security officials seized 43 cattle allegedly being smuggled toward the Cambodian border during a patrol operation in eastern Thailand, authorities said.
The operation was led by Sa Kaeo Animal Quarantine Station chief Suphot Sangka and involved livestock officials, border security forces and Border Patrol Police officers.
Authorities said officers encountered a group of men herding two mixed-sex beef cattle herds near Ban Saeng village in Ta Phraya district close to the Thai-Cambodian border.
When officers moved in to inspect the animals, the men fled into nearby forested areas and escaped arrest, officials said.
A subsequent search uncovered two groups of cattle nearby, one containing 13 animals and the other 30, for a total of 43 cattle.
Officials said the animals were seized and transferred to the Sa Kaeo Animal Quarantine Station in Ta Phraya district because their origin could not be verified and authorities feared the potential spread of livestock diseases.
Samples were collected for laboratory testing, and police records were filed at Thap Thai police station.
Authorities said that if no infectious diseases are detected and no owner comes forward to claim the cattle, the animals will be auctioned in accordance with government regulations.
