A teenager was arrested at Bangkok’s main airport after authorities discovered 30 tortoises strapped to her body under her clothing.
Officials became suspicious of the 19-year-old Taiwanese passenger as she prepared to board a flight to Taipei, leading to a search that uncovered the smuggled animals.
According to Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the tortoises had been taped in place, packed into cloth bags, and attached to her body to avoid detection.
The animals were identified as Indian star tortoise, a species classified as vulnerable due to growing demand in the illegal exotic pet trade.
Of the 30 tortoises found, 29 were still alive while one had died.
The teenager now faces charges for attempting to bypass customs and illegally transporting wildlife, with authorities investigating possible links to a wider smuggling network.
The surviving tortoises have been handed over to conservation officials for care.