Thailand has been a CITES signatory since 1983, pledging to protect endangered species. The orangutans returning home include two seven-year-olds, a male named Nobita and a female named Shisuka, who have been under the care of Thailand's Ministry of National Resources and Environment since 2016. Joining them is Bryant, a four-year-old male taken into care last year. Rescued from a trafficker, these orangutans have been housed in Ratchaburi province's wildlife breeding center. They are healthy, free from tuberculosis and hepatitis, and genetically identified as a Sumatran orangutan species.

Indonesia is funding the transport and medical costs for their return. They are the remaining individuals of five orangutans rescued in Thailand. The first two were successfully returned to Indonesia last year.