An investigation is under way to find out whether there are more people involved in a wildlife trafficking network in the wake of the arrest of a suspected animal trafficker on Monday in Ratchaburi province.
The suspect, Adul Matlaung, was arrested at his house in Suan Phung district for the illegal possession of 23 pieces of clouded leopard skin, 13 pieces of golden cat skin, nine leopard carcasses and two barking deer carcasses, worth about 400,000 baht.
All of the animals are listed as protected species under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act. Mr Adul was arrested under a joint operation between the Paya Sua Operation Taskforce of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, soldiers, police and local administrative officers.
"We are conducting an in-depth investigation to see who else is involved in this wildlife trafficking network in the Central Plains region.
"The suspect confessed to doing this kind of illegal business with many people and we have already checked those names in his mobile phone," said Phanaschakorn Bhodibundit, deputy chief of Paya Sua Operation Taskforce.
Mr Phanaschakorn said the suspect was caught after the team received a complaint on their Facebook page. The suspect was selling the wild cat skin to people who believe the skin can protect them from danger.
