Bangkok: The secretary to the Minister of Agriculture revealed that the Department of Livestock Development intercepted a smuggling operation transporting 180,000 chicken eggs from Songkhla Province to Bangkok. The smugglers were unable to provide proper transportation documentation. Minister Suriya expressed concern about food safety and the prevention of animal disease outbreaks, ordering a thorough investigation into the source and transportation routes. He also emphasized the need for stricter control over agricultural product standards and traceability systems.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Sarawut Nueangchamnong, Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, revealed that Mr. Suriya Jungrungruangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has instructed him to expedite the implementation of policies to prevent and suppress the smuggling of all types of illegal agricultural products. He emphasized that relevant agencies must strictly and seriously enforce the law, as the illegal movement of agricultural products can affect consumer safety, the prevention of animal diseases and pests, and fair trade practices for Thai farmers.
Mr. Sarawut said that he recently received a report from Dr. Somchuan Ratnamangklanon, Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, that a special task force from Animal Quarantine Station Group 8, comprising the Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi Animal Quarantine Stations, had jointly set up a checkpoint and apprehended offenders smuggling chicken eggs at the Ban Noen Din Daeng intersection, Huai Yang Subdistrict, Thap Sakae District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.
Authorities spotted a suspicious 12-wheel truck covered with a tarpaulin and stopped it for inspection. The search revealed 180,000 chicken eggs packed in cardboard boxes. The driver was unable to provide documentation regarding the transportation or origin of the goods. He stated that he was hired to transport the eggs from Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, and would be notified of the delivery location upon arrival. Initially, livestock officers seized the evidence, which included 180,000 chicken eggs and one 12-wheel truck, before taking the suspects to the Huai Yang Police Station for prosecution under the Animal Epidemic Act B.E. 2558 (2015).
In addition, officials collected samples of the confiscated chicken eggs and sent them for laboratory testing at the Western Veterinary Research and Development Center in Ratchaburi Province to monitor for diseases and check their safety before distribution to consumers. They are also expanding the investigation to trace the source of the related chicken hatcheries in order to take strict legal action and adhere to the Department of Livestock Development's hatchery standards and regulations.
Mr. Sarawut stated that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will continue to inspect and suppress the illegal smuggling of agricultural products in order to protect the standards of Thai agricultural products, consumer safety, and fairness to domestic farmers.
Furthermore, if the public wishes to file a complaint, request assistance, or report any violations related to livestock, they can do so through the DLD 4.0 application 24 hours a day.