KHON KAEN: The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department on Wednesday registered a complaint against two men after staff at a mail delivery company office were shocked to receive a package sent from Phitsanulok that contained a live snake.
The box contained a four-metre king cobra, which is protected by law. Those found in possession of protected wildlife are subject to a fine of up to 500,000 baht and/or a jail term of up to five years.
Krit Chanthachum, the director of the Protected Areas Region 8 Office, filed the complaint at Muang police station in Muang district of the northeastern province accusing Worasit Pitak, 29, and another man - whose name was not disclosed - of having a protected animal in possession.
Mr Worasit, the recipient of the package, claimed he was a rescuer and a member of the King Cobra Club of Thailand recommended by one of his acquaintances in the northern province.
Mr Worasit said the sender in Phitsanulok had called him and asked for help treating the reptile, which had a head wound - and insisted on sending the injured snake to Khon Kaen by courier.
The package reached a J&T Express branch in Muang district on Tuesday, where a staff member was shocked to see the box moving and emitting a hissing sound. He called the person listed on the address label and asked him to collect the package immediately.
"I was the one who retrieved the king cobra [from the box]," Mr Worasit said. "The snake was irritable because of the hot weather and being surrounded by people."
"This is not about the wildlife trade and I have no intention of keeping it," he added.
The snake was being kept at Ban Khok Sanga, better known as king cobra village, in Nam Phong district waiting for officials to collect it.