Bangkok: Thailand has returned four orangutans to Indonesia, their place of origin, in a move that highlights the continuing cooperation between the two countries in combating wildlife trafficking under the CITES convention. The event was part of the celebration marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Indonesia.
According to Thai News Agency, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy in Thailand, organized a ceremony to mark the return of these orangutans to Indonesia. Mr. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, appointed Mr. Sadudee Panpakdee, Director of the CITES Division, to represent him at the ceremony. The four orangutans included two male and one female Sumatran orangutan, along with one female Tapanuli orangutan.
The ceremony took place at Suvarnabhumi Airport and was attended by His Excellency Mr. Rachmat Budiman, the Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand, as well as a delegation from the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry. This marks the seventh such event since 2006, with a total of 78 orangutans being returned to their natural habitat under the collaborative efforts of both nations.
The initiative aligns with the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019) and the CITES Convention, which classify both species of orangutans as controlled wildlife in Group 1. This classification prohibits their import and export without permission from the Director-General, with violators facing severe penalties.
The journey of the four orangutans began on December 22, 2025, with their transport cages being prepared to help them acclimatize to the new environment. They were moved from Wildlife Rescue Center 3 (Prathap Chang), Ratchaburi Province, to Suvarnabhumi Airport in the early hours of December 23. The animals were scheduled to return to Indonesia on Garuda Indonesia Airlines flight GA867, destined for Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.
Both Thai and Indonesian veterinary teams conducted health checks and provided recommendations to reduce stress during the journey. The orangutans were placed in two cages, with two animals per cage, due to their young age and tendency to become frightened if separated.
This initiative exemplifies the commitment of Thailand and Indonesia to combat illegal wildlife trafficking while utilizing the CITES mechanism for the conservation of endangered wildlife. It serves as a symbolic activity reinforcing the friendship between the two countries on their 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.