Thai authorities have arrested nine suspects and confiscated a significant quantity of smuggled African ivory distributed across seven provinces.

泰國當局已逮捕 9 名嫌疑人，並在 7 個省分沒收大量走私非洲象牙。

The operational phase commenced on May 7, following a multi-month intelligence gathering period by the Central Investigation Bureau and environmental officials. The investigation focused on a Facebook-based commercial entity titled “Khiaw Nga Khrueang Rang Chak Sat,” which facilitated the trade of animal-derived talismans. Through the procurement and subsequent forensic verification of samples, investigators confirmed the presence of African ivory, precipitating coordinated raids on eleven distinct premises. These actions resulted in the impoundment of 250 kilograms of ivory and associated processing equipment, with a total estimated valuation of 9.9 million baht.

在中央調查局與環境官員進行數月的情報蒐集後，行動於 5 月 7 日展開。調查重點在於一個名為「Khiaw Nga Khrueang Rang Chak Sat」的 Facebook 商業實體，該實體負責交易動物來源的符咒。調查人員透過獲取樣本並進行隨後的法醫驗證，確認其中含有非洲象牙，隨即對 11 個不同地點採取協同突擊行動。這些行動導致 250 公斤象牙及相關加工設備被扣押，總估值約 990 萬泰銖。

Regarding the logistics of the illicit supply chain, the ivory was transported via maritime routes from Africa to Vietnam. The subsequent transit into Thailand was facilitated by Vietnamese nationals via the Mekong River. Once within the jurisdiction, the raw material was processed into high-value commodities, including prayer beads, knife handles, and amulets, targeting a Thai and Vietnamese clientele. The administration of the social media group, which had reportedly generated approximately 10 million baht in revenue over a one-year period, was managed by the nine detained Thai nationals.

關於非法供應鏈的物流，象牙經海路從非洲運往越南。隨後由越南籍人士經湄公河運入泰國。進入該管轄區後，原材料被加工成高價值商品，包括念珠、刀把及護身符，目標客戶為泰國與越南人。該社交媒體群組據報在一年內創造了約 1,000 萬泰銖的收入，由 9 名被拘留的泰國國民管理。

From a regulatory perspective, the possession of African ivory is prohibited within Thailand, aligning with the 1990 CITES ban on international ivory trade. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature classifies both African and Asian elephants as endangered species. The suspects face charges pertaining to the illegal possession and trade of protected wildlife, which may incur a maximum penalty of ten years of incarceration and a fine of one million baht. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has indicated that the seized materials will be retained until the conclusion of legal proceedings, after which they will be destroyed.

從監管角度來看，泰國禁止持有非洲象牙，這符合 1990 年 CITES 關於國際象牙貿易的禁令。世界自然保護聯盟將非洲象和亞洲象均列為瀕危物種。嫌疑人面臨非法持有及交易受保護野生動物的指控，最高可處以十年監禁及 100 萬泰銖罰金。國家公園、野生動物及植物保育局表示，扣押的材料將保留至法律程序結束，隨後予以銷毀。

The operation concluded with the arrest of nine administrators and the seizure of the largest ivory cache in a decade, while investigations into Vietnamese accomplices continue.

此次行動以逮捕 9 名管理員及沒收十年來最大規模的象牙快取告終，而針對越南共犯的調查仍在繼續。