A distressing case of wildlife trafficking has once again highlighted the illegal trade in endangered species, with the recent arrest of a Thai national suspected of smuggling two baby orangutan. This apprehension, made in Bangkok, is believed to be part of a larger international wildlife trafficking network, underscoring Thailand’s role as a transit hub for illicit animal trade.
The suspect, identified as a 47-year-old man named “Thanasit,” was detained on Wednesday evening, May 14, 2025, at a petrol station in a residential area of Bangkok. Police apprehended him while he was reportedly preparing to hand over the two infant orangutans to a customer, interrupting a transaction in progress.
Authorities discovered the two baby orangutan, one approximately a year old and the other just one month old, inside a plastic basket. Heartbreaking images released by the police showed the tiny apes wearing diapers and accompanied by a feeding bottle, suggesting they were being treated as commodities for illegal sale.
The arrest was the culmination of a joint investigation involving multiple international agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Wildlife Justice Commission. This collaboration underscores the global effort required to combat such sophisticated criminal operations.
Orangutans, native to the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, are classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. They are among the most trafficked primates globally, primarily due to habitat loss and the demand for the illegal pet trade. Their protection is enshrined under the CITES treaty.
Police estimate that these baby orangutans were intended to be sold for approximately 300,000 Thai baht each (around US$8,900). The arrested individual has been charged with illegal possession of protected wildlife under Thai law, a crime that carries a potential prison sentence of up to four years upon conviction.
Following their rescue, the two infant orangutans, reportedly named Christopher and Stefan, were immediately handed over to Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. They will undergo health checks and receive specialized care, with the ultimate goal of rehabilitating them.