RATCHABURI — A luxury homeowner in Ratchaburi province faces criminal charges after authorities discovered three illegally possessed exotic animals among his collection of 50 wildlife pets.
Police and wildlife officials executed a search warrant at his riverside mansion in Khung Krathon sub-district on December 12. During the raid, authorities found Chaiwat (surname withheld) in possession of two Cotton-top tamarins and one African Grey Parrot without proper permits. The Cotton-top Tamarin, native to Colombia and listed under CITES Appendix I as critically endangered, is valued at approximately 150,000 baht ($4,400) per animal.
The search revealed a extensive collection of exotic animals, including 10 squirrel monkeys from South America (valued at 75,000 baht, or $2,200 each), two De Brazza’s monkeys (300,000 baht, or $8,800 each), two Guenon monkeys (30,000 baht, or $880 each), and two Marmoset monkeys (50,000, or $8,800 baht each).
Chaiwat admitted to purchasing the animals through Facebook groups. While most of his collection had proper documentation and microchips, acquired before the 2022 regulation changes, the three animals in question were illegally possessed.
The suspect faces charges of possessing protected wildlife without permission, which carries penalties of up to one year in prison and a 100,000 baht fine.
Narupon Thipmonta, Director of the Forest Fire Prevention and Wildlife Crime Suppression Office, announced on December 14 that all animals have been transferred to the Wildlife Conservation Center 3 (Pratap Chang) for care pending the case’s conclusion.
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