A Thai man was arrested on a highway in Udon Thani province in northeastern Thailand yesterday with forty five crab-eating macaques stuffed into 13 boxes inside his car. He confessed that he was taking the monkeys to the border to be smuggled into neighbouring countries, most probably to be experimented on or killed for his or her brains.
Ensured , 44 yr previous Boonchuay Thanapim, was stopped by Udon Thani Highway Police but tried to make a break for it in his Toyota Avanza. After a short chase, he was apprehended by police on Ban Khon Sai Road in Ku Kaew district along Highway 2035.
Officers opened the boot of the automotive to search out 45 crab-eating macaques in individual nets stuffed into 13 plastic boxes.
Boonchuay confessed that he was paid 5,000 baht to pick up the macaques in Sara Buri province in central Thailand and drive them to the border in Bueng Kan province, where someone else would choose them up and move them across the border, he advised the police.
MGR reports that the monkeys would probably be experimented on or killed for his or her brains. In southeast Asia – especially in Vietnam and China – monkey brains have traditionally been eaten by individuals who believe they’re a “tonic.”
Over the years, the crab-eating macaque has been periodically seen as a pest, a sacred animal, and most recently, the subject of medical experiments.
Police said that although the crab-eating macaque is a protected species in Thailand, traffickers are tempted as a outcome of the monkeys sell for a excessive price. In Thailand, the macaques promote for eight,000 baht each.
If taken out of the country, the monkeys can promote for 20,000 baht each. Meaning, whoever deliberate to promote these macaques overseas could sell all 45 for a complete of around 900,000 baht, based on the police.
Police arrested Boonchuay under suspicion of possessing protected wildlife with out permission. Police said they will examine additional to arrest everybody involved in the operation.
Last week, a shiny orange baby langur monkey named Plango was rescued after being deserted by its household within the wild in Prachuap Khiri Khan province..