AdvertisementAdvertisementTwo men suspected of being part of an international wildlife smuggling network were intercepted in a car carrying 81 macaques. (Photo: Facebook/12th Ranger Regiment)15 Nov 2025 03:52PM (Updated: 15 Nov 2025 03:56PM) Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInRead a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST BANGKOK: Thai rangers have arrested two men suspected of being part of an international wildlife smuggling network, the military said on Saturday (Nov 15) after they were intercepted in a car carrying 81 macaques near the Cambodian border.Thailand is a major transit hub for wildlife smugglers, who often sell highly-prized endangered creatures on the lucrative black market in China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.A patrol stopped the vehicle on Friday afternoon in the Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo province, where troops found the monkeys stuffed into a blue net bag."At 3.20pm, authorities arrested the two suspects and inspected their vehicle," the 12th Ranger Forces Regiment, which is responsible for the area, said in a statement on Facebook.The soldiers also seized methamphetamine pills and crystal meth, though no quantities were specified.Two men suspected of being part of an international wildlife smuggling network were intercepted in a car carrying 81 macaques. (Photo: Facebook/12th Ranger Regiment)Two men suspected of being part of an international wildlife smuggling network were intercepted in a car carrying 81 macaques. (Photo: Facebook/12th Ranger Regiment)During questioning, the men admitted they were involved in a cross-border trafficking ring moving macaques from Thailand into Cambodia, the military said in a Facebook post. Troops are working with police to pursue charges under wildlife-protection and narcotics laws.Last year, Thailand sent almost 1,000 highly endangered lemurs and tortoises back to their home in Madagascar, after both countries' biggest operation against wildlife trafficking.In May, Thai police arrested a man suspected of smuggling two baby orangutans into the kingdom.Baby gorilla rescued from flight to Thailand recovers at Istanbul zooSource: AFP/nhNewsletterMorning BriefSubscribe to CNA’s Morning BriefAn automated curation of our top stories to start your day.Sign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...Expand to read the full storyGet bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST