November 28, 2023

Thailand uncovers government officials involved in massive pork smuggling operation

Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has exposed the involvement of at least 10 civil servants and politicians in a large-scale pork smuggling operation, Bangkok Post reported.

The DSI director-general, Pol Maj Suriya Singhakamol, disclosed that a comprehensive five-month investigation has uncovered multiple individuals, including government officials, financing and facilitating the smuggling of 161 containers of pork valued at THB 460 million (US$13.1 million)

The investigation has led the DSI to forward the case to Thailand's Office of National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for the prosecution of suspects linked to the 161 containers, containing a total of 4,025 tonnes of smuggled pork imported between 2021 and 2022. For an additional 2,385 containers during the same period, police will initiate investigations, and the NACC will seize the assets of the suspects.

Pol Maj Suriya affirmed the commitment to press charges against all involved in the pork smuggling, irrespective of their rank. He announced that more updates would be provided in the coming week, and a full-scale operation has been approved by the prime minister.

The investigation reveals the complicity of a conglomerate in purchasing illegally imported pork from government officials. Pol Maj Suriya hinted at further details being made public early next year.

Amidst these revelations, Thai Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompow shared that inspections of freezers across 77 provinces from October 10 to November 22 by the Department of Livestock Development and the Department of Fisheries uncovered 92 cases of unlawful meat storage, totalling 2.5 million kg valued at THB 287.72 million (US$8.2 million).

-      Bangkok Post