Illegal pangolin traders killed in Krabi double-homicide

PHUKET: Police in Krabi are searching for at least three suspects in connection with a double-homicide of a couple who were engaged in illegally trading pangolins.

The bodies of the married couple, Taweesak Janwiang, 41, and Jinda Janwiang, 43, were found with their hands bound and nylon ropes tied around their necks in a Tambon Huay Nam Khaw rubber plantation yesterday.

“We believe they were strangled to death over a business issue regarding their illegal trade in pangolins,” said Lt Col Torsak Boonlon of the Khlong Thom Police.

Pangolins, also known as ‘scaly anteaters’, are a protected species in Thailand, but are often sold to restaurants to be eaten.

“Relatives, who filed missing person reports with the Thap Put Police Station on Friday, told us that the couple dealt in pangolins. They filed the report after being unable to contact either of them for 24 hours,” Col Torsak said.

“When we found the couple’s ransacked pick-up truck in Nakorn Sri Thammarat on May 3, we launched our investigation.”

Police believe that the pair were killed about five days prior to the discovery of their bodies in the plantation, about three kilometers from the main road.

“We are chasing down all possible leads. At this point, we are unable to provide any additional information about the suspects’ indentities,” Col Torsak said.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong