On a recent flight operated by Thai Airways en route from Bangkok to Taipei, passengers were in for a shocking surprise when approximately 30 wild animals, carried on board by two individuals, escaped and roamed the cabin mid-flight. This unforeseen incident has since prompted a full-scale investigation, shining a light on the pervasive wildlife smuggling industry.
One of the animals smuggled on the plane-Image Source: AL-Arabiya
According to reports by local Thai media, passengers observed a number of creatures, including otters, freely wandering the plane’s cabin. This raised alarm and caused considerable disruption during the flight.
Subsequent investigations by Taiwanese authorities led to the discovery of a variety of animals – some of which were tragically found dead – following the plane’s descent in Taiwan. The authorities confirmed the seizure of 28 turtles, two otters, an aye-aye, and a couple of unidentified rodents.
In the wake of this incident, the management of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand’s largest, acknowledged the lapse in their baggage scanning procedure. The airport’s director stated, “After reviewing surveillance footage, we identified that the baggage of the two involved foreign individuals passed through the X-ray machine.” An issued statement added that, although an employee had suspicions and had called for a further bag inspection, this secondary check never transpired. Consequently, the said employee has been suspended, and a full investigation is underway.
Thailand has historically been identified as a hub for wildlife trafficking, often destined for main markets like Vietnam or China, where they are typically used in traditional medicine. This recent incident underscores the urgent need for more rigorous controls and surveillance to counteract this illicit trade.
