88 ball pythons among 126 reptiles seized at Thai airport

Bangkok, 12 August 2026 - Suvarnabhumi Airport officials have confiscated over a hundred live reptiles, including ball pythons, concealed within two postal parcels falsely labeled as dried fruit snacks and food destined for the Philippines. Suvarnabhumi Airport Wildlife Checkpoint officers, in collaboration with the Customs Department's investigation and suppression unit and the Suvarnabhumi Postal Centre, uncovered the illegal shipment during a risk assessment targeting the illicit export of prohibited items via the Suvarnabhumi Postal Centre and the Free Zone airport cargo inspection facility in Samut Prakan.

While scanning two international registered postal parcels, officers noticed objects that appeared to be living beings and conducted a thorough examination. The parcels, originating from Surat Thani province, were falsely claimed to contain "dried fruit snacks and food," with the destination marked as the Philippines. Upon opening, officers discovered live reptiles stored in cloth bags and transparent plastic containers.

The seized wildlife comprised four sulcata tortoises, 16 iguanas, 88 ball pythons, ornamental snakes, 16 tegus, spiny-tailed lizards, bearded dragons, and two leopard geckos. The two parcels together weighed more than 18 kilograms. Komkrit Pinsai, head of the Suvarnabhumi Airport Wildlife Checkpoint, emphasized that the unauthorized international transport of wildlife via postal services is a severe offense that endangers the animals and risks spreading diseases.

Authorities have intensified cooperation among relevant agencies to enhance screening procedures, such as examining shipping trends and employing detection technology, to thwart Thailand's utilization as a transit point for the illegal wildlife trade. The seized animals have been seized, and the case has been filed under Sections 23 of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act 2019, Section 242 of the Customs Act 2017 (in conjunction with Sections 166 and 167), and Section 31 of the Animal Epidemics Act 2015.

The case has been forwarded to investigators at the Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station, who will gather evidence and pursue the sender and others implicated for legal proceedings. The living creatures have been turned over to the Wildlife Health Management Group under the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for additional care.

The story "88 ball pythons among 126 reptiles seized at Thai airport" was initially published on Khaosod English.