Sri Lankan man caught smuggling 3 pythons in his underwear at Bangkok airport

Thailand's Wildlife Crime Intelligence Center (WCIC) said the suspect, identified as Seehan, arrived on Thai Airways flight TG308 from Colombo early on July 1.

Background checks revealed he had a history of wildlife trafficking, including wolves, parrots, civets and squirrels, and was arrested in Colombo last year for similar offenses, the Bangkok Post reported.

WCIC and airport authorities tracked him throughout his stay in Bangkok.

On July 2, he left his hotel and headed to the airport by taxi. After checking in for his flight, he cleared additional X-ray screening, which found no illegal items. However, a personal body search revealed three ball pythons (Python regius) stuffed inside his underwear, Thai PBS World reported.

Seehan was arrested for violating Thailand's wildlife conservation laws and remains in custody for further questioning as the investigation expands.

Ball pythons, also known as royal pythons, are native to Africa and are named for their habit of curling into a ball when frightened. They require special import permits in Thailand.

Legends say Cleopatra VII once wore them as bracelets.