BANGKOK – A Japanese man has been arrested in Bangkok on suspicion of trying to smuggle a rare monkey species to Japan, according to Thai police.
The man was identified as Takashi Yokohari, 36, of Saitama Prefecture.
Yokohari allegedly tried Friday to board a flight to Narita from Suvarnabhumi airport with nine slow loris, or nycticebus coucang, in five suitcases.
Exports of the rare primate without authorization are banned.
“I bought them at a market in Bangkok. I planned to keep them as pets,” he was quoted as telling the police.
If convicted, he could face a four-year prison term or a fine of 40,000 baht (about 130,000 yen), according to Thai authorities.