Anutin Inspects Smuggled Goods Haul in Ranong

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul cut short a visit to Phuket on May 11 to fly to Ranong after authorities seized more than 50 million baht worth of suspected smuggled goods from a warehouse in Mueang Ranong district.

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Anutin cancelled a scheduled visit to Freedom Beach in Karon subdistrict after inspecting Bang Tao beach over concerns about public land encroachment. He travelled directly to an unnumbered warehouse operated by 168 Transport Logistics Co., Ltd. on Road 4080 in Bang Rin subdistrict after reports emerged of a large cache of untaxed goods allegedly stored there illegally.

The operation followed a tip-off from local residents to the Command for Combating New Forms of Threats and Security and Suppressing Subversive Threats in 14 Southern Provinces. Residents reported that foreign nationals, specifically Myanmar citizens, were using the warehouse to store smuggled goods.

Authorities coordinated with the Subversive Threat Operations Unit, 25th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion and investigators from Mueang Ranong police station to raid the premises. During the operation, officers reportedly received mysterious phone calls urging them to abandon the raid and leave immediately, with callers claiming connections to senior police officers. Some calls were traced to Myanmar.

A preliminary inspection found large power generation machinery used in factories and hotels, around 2,000 air conditioners and heating devices, water pumps and other electrical appliances and general merchandise. Officials estimated the total value of the seized items at more than 50 million baht.

Anutin arrived at the warehouse at about 3.30pm and personally inspected the goods while asking officials whether the owner had been identified. Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said the government remained committed to cracking down on all forms of illegal activity and described himself as shocked by the scale of the stockpile, which was believed to contain untaxed goods.

Officials said the seized items had been declared as goods in transit but appeared to have remained in storage for more than 30 days. Under regulations, goods left beyond that period become state property.

Anutin said the owner would be given the opportunity to provide proof that taxes had been paid correctly. He added that if the goods were found to comply with tax regulations there would be no issue, but legal action would follow if violations were confirmed. Authorities would also expand the investigation to identify the wider network connected to the operation.

The ThaiNewsRoom reported that the prime minister also praised the officers involved in the raid, commending their determination and reassuring them that they had nothing to fear while carrying out their duties.

Picture courtesy of TNR

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thainewsroom 12 May 2026