Thailand has implemented stringent measures for prohibition on unrestricted pork imports, even for individual use. These strategies are emerging crucial, especially with recent major findings of illicit pork imports at international airports. The distinctive canine unit known as Inspector Beagle is the prime actor in such airport inspections, effectively sniffing out all meat-based products that could conceivably harbor fatal strains of African Swine Fever (ASF).
In a recent event dated October 13, Inspector Beagle discovered nearly 31 kilogrammes of pork sausages hidden in the baggage of a passenger who had just arrived at Bangkok’s leading Suvarnabhumi Airport from the Philippines. The passenger travelled in via a Cebu Pacific Airlines flight, which touched down at 11.05 am. The suspected pork products, potentially putting Thailand’s ecosystem at risk, were instantly confiscated.
This case is not unique. Several similar instances have been reported by the Department of Livestock Development’s (DLD) K9 Unit, including another seizure of unaccounted meat products, all discovered from a passenger arriving from Manila. The products seized include a wide variety of sausages, bacon, and even beef. The DLD therefore consistently emphasizes on confined rules against unregulated pork imports into Thailand, which includes personal use.
A bilingual printed warning distributed by the Phuket Info Center is shared in five languages – Thai, English, Chinese, Lao, and Vietnamese, to serve as a deterrent for travellers: “Attention. Do not carry pork! ASF – African Swine Fever. Do not carry pork, sausages, bacon, or any other meat products into Thailand without permission from the DLD. Violators who bring these products into Thailand without permission could face prosecution.”
Violators could face charges under the Animal Epidemic Act B.E. 2558 (2015), but the specific penalties or consequences for those found guilty are unclear. ASF is an epidemic disease among pigs and wild boars.
This ban on pork imports was initially declared four years ago after reports of an African Swine Fever outbreak in various countries overseas were made public. Phuket was instrumental in enforcing this ban. In late 2019, the World Organisation for Animal Health reported ASF outbreaks in 15 countries across Europe, Africa, Russia, and China. Consequently, Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released an advisory to enforce a quarantine on all pork imported from these countries. Director-General of the DLD, Sorawit Thaneto revealed the confiscation of ASF-infected pork sausages from a Chinese tourist at Phuket International Airport. According to him, “Strict inspections of processed pork products from overseas are now in place to prevent an outbreak. If unchecked, ASF could severely dent our swine farming industry.”
Currently, the ban on undeclared imports of pork products, which include items like salami and sausages for personal use, remains. Inspector Beagle is on the watch regularly, inspecting luggage at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. However, specific information about the method intensity and inspection process at Phuket International Airport has not been disclosed.
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