Tourists wait to check in for flights at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 4, 2023. Photo by Reuters
A sniffer dog team at Suvarnabhumi Airport discovered a Vietnamese passenger’s suitcase containing pork sausage and other pork products, which are prohibited from entering Thailand under African Swine Fever (ASF) prevention measures.
The Thai Department of Livestock Development said Dec. 16 its quarantine unit and sniffer dog team intercepted the suitcase at Bangkok’s main airport containing pork sausage, marinated pork, and minced pork, Khaosod English newspaper reported.
All items were confiscated and handled in accordance with regulations.
The import of pork and pork products is banned under Thailand’s Animal Disease Prevention Act to prevent the spread of ASF. Prohibited items include fresh and frozen pork, as well as processed products such as ham, sausages, cured meats, smoked meat, and pâté, Nation Thailand reported.
The case drew widespread attention in Thailand.
Some commentators warned travelers to carefully check food restrictions before entering the country to avoid heavy penalties, while others jokingly suggested the sniffer dogs deserved a reward of sausages.
Under Thai law, bringing pork products, fresh or processed, into Thailand is prohibited, with penalties including confiscation, fines up to 200,000 baht (US$6,435), up to two years in jail, or both.
Sniffer dogs are routinely deployed at international airports in Thailand to detect illegal animal products.
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