Bangkok – A Sri Lankan national was apprehended at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Tuesday after authorities discovered three live ball pythons concealed in his underwear, marking yet another brazen attempt to traffic protected wildlife through Thailand’s busiest air hub.

Illegal Wildlife Trafficking at Suvarnabhumi Airport Uncovered

The suspect, identified only as “Shenan,” had flown into Bangkok from Colombo on July 1 and was flagged by a transnational wildlife crime task force. Polwee Buchakiat, director of Thailand’s Wildlife Crime Intelligence Centre, confirmed that intelligence from Thai and international agencies—including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)—had pinpointed Shenan as a repeat offender with ties to trafficking wolves, meerkats, exotic birds, and reptiles.

The arrest unfolded after Shenan, preparing to depart on July 2, triggered alarms during routine X-ray screening. While his luggage appeared clean, a body search revealed three CITES-protected ball pythons (Python regius) stuffed into his underwear. The snakes, native to Africa and popular in the illegal pet trade, are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, requiring permits for transport.

Thailand’s Wildlife Crime Intelligence Centre detained a Sri Lankan male at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on July 2, for attempting to smuggle three pythons out of the country in his underwear.

Polwee Buchakiat, director of the Wildlife Crime Intelligence Centre, revealed… pic.twitter.com/VMzTP0ZZJC

— Thai PBS World (@ThaiPBSWorld) July 3, 2025

Authorities noted Shenan’s prior 2024 arrest in Colombo for similar crimes, underscoring his role in a broader smuggling network. The bust highlights Thailand’s strategic role in global wildlife trafficking routes and the escalating tactics of smugglers, who increasingly resort to concealing animals on their bodies to evade detection.

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Shenan now faces charges for unauthorized export of protected species and customs violations, which could carry severe penalties under Thai law. The case has been referred to international partners for further investigation into the trafficking ring’s operations.

-Thailand News (TN)