Chon Buri: Two vendors have been charged with animal cruelty after a picture of a turtle left upside down in the sun in an alleged merit-making scam went viral online.
Cambodians Na Bangwan, 38, and Rin Koon, 34, were arrested yesterday morning at a market in Sattahip district.
Police alleged they used several turtles and birds to lure people into making merit.
They were charged with animal cruelty, unauthorised sales, overstaying their entry permits and breaching a wildlife protection law. Police also seized 20 tailorbirds and 13 turtles.
Sattahip superintendent Mekawin Praditpol said the arrest was made after local villagers complained the vendors were committing animal cruelty by overturning a large turtle under the hot sun.
Police said their ploy was to attract customers who felt sympathy for the animals. People were asked to pay between 999 and 1,200 baht for the turtles to be released.
The arrest came after a photo of an overturned turtle was shared online.
The animal was said to be struggling to free itself for several hours until it appeared motionless.
Police said the picture was taken on Friday. They said a 56-year-old buyer who felt sympathy for the animals paid more than 1,000 baht to buy the turtles to release them.