Officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (MNRE CSD) Region 5 branch reported that the baby monkeys were safely recovered last Thursday (Apr 25).
The monkeys were taken into safe custody from the home of a well-known Patong businessman in Moo 7, Kathu. The man had operated a well-known tourist business in Patong for many years, the officers reported.
Working with the MNRE officers were officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).
The Israeli man, named in the official report as Zuri Yozee, told the officers that he did not know he needed a permit in order to be in legal possession of the monkeys.
The baby monkeys were kept in cages and were not in good health. They appeared to be depressed, the officers reported.
The monkeys were handed over to officials at the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Hunting Area Reserve (a protected wildlife area) in Thalang for treatment and safe keeping until they could moved to a wildlife protection centre in Phang Nga, the MNRE CSD officers noted
Yozee was taken to Kathu Police Station to charges under Section 17 of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, B.E. 2562 (2019), which can incur a penalty of up to five years in jail, or a fine of up to B500,000, or both.