That phanom: The Central Investigation Bureau, in collaboration with the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, raided and arrested suspects involved in the illegal wildlife trade, seizing over 100 items including tiger hides, clouded leopard hides, python skins, and bear carcasses.

According to Thai News Agency, hundreds of protected wildlife carcasses, including tiger skins, clouded leopard skins, Asian golden cat skins, python skins, pangolin scales, deer antlers, serow carcasses, and bear carcasses, were seized by officials during a raid on a shop in That Phanom District, Nakhon Phanom Province. The suspect, Ms. Kulkaya, was arrested on a warrant issued by the Min Buri Criminal Court for the offenses of trading and possessing protected wildlife carcasses without permission, under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act.

Prior to the arrest, authorities learned that Ms. Kulkanya had illegally purchased protected wildlife carcasses from Laos to sell online to tourists visiting Phra That Phanom. Ms. Kulkanya operated a souvenir and traditional medicine shop in That Phanom subdistrict as a front. After gathering sufficient evidence, authorities obtained an arrest warrant and search warrant for her shop last week. The charges against Ms. Kulkanya for illegally trading and possessing protected wildlife carcasses carry a penalty of imprisonment for up to 10 years, a fine of up to 1 million baht, or both. Authorities urged offenders to reconsider their actions, emphasizing that wild animals are living beings, some rare and endangered, and that possessing protected wildlife carcasses is a serious offense with severe penalties.