Police have arrested a 31-year-old Bangkok man accused of impersonating an army general to swindle people and illegally possessing protected wildlife carcasses.
Wildlife officials on Saturday searched a house in Lat Phrao Soi 15 in Chatuchak district and found carcasses of a lion, a leopard, an Asiatic golden cat and 13 tusks inside. House owner Wankasat Phromthong was apprehended.
The arrest came after the team was alerted by Crime Suppression Division (CSD) and Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division officers.
CSD police also searched the house and found two military uniforms with army general insignias, lawsuit documents related to bad cheques, and loan contacts detailing sums money ranging from 500,000 to 5 million baht.
Police said the 31-year-old suspect claimed someone had given him the animal carcasses while he was in the monkhood.
Police said the suspect had posed as an army general to prey on people. Claiming to be close to senior officials, he allegedly demanded money from people bidding on state projects.
Just two days before his arrest, Mr Wansakat showed up at the 87th birthday party of former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh at the Royal Thai Army Club on Vibhvadi Rangsit Road. Many senior figures and politicians from several parties attended the event.
Ivory items were also seized from Wankasat Phromthong's house in Chatuchak district. (Supplied photo)