The suspect, identified as Kazushi Yamamoto, is currently being detained at the airport and representatives of the Japanese Embassy in Thailand visited him yesterday morning to provide assistance.

The man was apprehended after airport officials found live animals in his two bags, including 12 otters, five owls and three hawks. He was initially charged for violating of the Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act 1992 while the animals were confiscated and sent to the National Parks Department.