Samut Sakhon, Thailand – Authorities have seized 346 tonnes of illegally imported chicken feet from a cold storage facility in Muang district, Samut Sakhon, just 30 kilometres southwest of Bangkok. The massive haul, with an estimated value of 24.25 million baht, is now under investigation for possible contamination, including avian influenza.
The operation, led by Pol Maj Gen Patanasak Buppasuwan, commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), uncovered the smuggled goods at a storage facility in Tambon Nadee on Saturday.
According to investigators, the chicken feet originated from multiple countries including Brazil, Chile, Germany, and Turkey. However, no official import documents or health certifications were provided, raising concerns about the product’s safety and legality.
Public Health and Legal Concerns
Authorities have collected samples for lab testing to detect any traces of avian influenza or other diseases that could pose a risk to public health. Police said the smuggling case is still under investigation and that no individuals have yet been charged.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and/or a fine of up to 200,000 baht under Thai import regulations.
A Popular Street Food Ingredient
Chicken feet are widely used in Thailand, especially in the street food dish informally known as “super”—a spicy, sour salad made with galangal, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, bird’s-eye chillies, coriander, and lime juice. The dish’s intense flavours have made it a favourite among locals, with chicken feet as its signature ingredient.
The seizure has raised public concerns over food safety, as illegally imported products without health inspection can pose significant risks to consumers.
The CPPD has stated it will continue monitoring cold storage facilities and food distributors across the country to crack down on smuggling and safeguard consumer health.
