Authorities in Thailand arrested a teenager at Bangkok’s main airport for allegedly smuggling 30 protected tortoises valued at about $9,000 that were taped under her clothing, wildlife officials said on Wednesday. Thailand is a major transit hub for wildlife smugglers who often sell highly prized endangered animals on the lucrative black market in Asia. Authorities became suspicious of the 19-year-old Taiwanese woman’s unusual movements as she prepared to board a flight to Taipei early on Tuesday, Thailand’s wildlife conservation department said in a statement.

Teenager with 30 smuggled tortoises nabbed in Thailand. (2026, May 1). The Manila Times, p. B6.