Police in Hua Hin have seized about 166kg of crystal methamphetamine, known locally as ice, after stopping a BMW allegedly carrying the drugs. A 20-year-old Malaysian man was detained after the car reportedly attempted to avoid a police checkpoint.
Police said the man claimed the suitcases found in the BMW did not belong to him and that he did not know the combinations needed to open them.
Pol Gen Samran Nuanma, deputy national police chief, announced the arrest on 10 August 2026. The operation was carried out in Hua Hin district, Prachuap Khiri Khan, by Hua Hin police led by Pol Col Kampanat Na Wichai, the station chief.
Other officers involved included Pol Lt Col Worath Krungkarnjana, deputy superintendent for prevention and suppression, Pol Lt Col Damkoeng Rueanwilai, an inspector in the same division, and Hua Hin police officers.
Stop on Hua Hin Road
The case followed an investigation into smaller-scale drug dealers in the area, police said. That work reportedly uncovered information on a larger trafficking network which was allegedly moving drugs from Suvarnabhumi Airport and using vehicles to hold the consignment before onward delivery in Hua Hin.
A police team led by Pol Capt Phutthiphat Kaosot set up a checkpoint on Hua Hin Soi 8 after receiving information that a BMW with Bangkok registration plates would enter the area carrying a large quantity of drugs.
When the BMW approached, officers said its driver appeared suspicious and tried to flee. Police followed the vehicle and stopped it outside a convenience store in Hua Hin subdistrict.
Suitcases held 166kg of drugs
The driver was identified as a 20-year-old Malaysian national. Several suitcases were found in the vehicle, but the suspect told officers they were not his property and that he did not know the codes to open them.
Police took the man and the BMW back to the checkpoint. They said the suitcases were searched with the suspect's consent and opened in his presence, revealing around 166kg of ice.
The suspect, drugs and white BMW were handed to Hua Hin police investigators for legal proceedings.
Pol Gen Samran ordered Hua Hin police to continue expanding the investigation to identify other members of the network and those involved in moving the drugs.
He said the seizure reflected the volume of narcotics still being smuggled into the country. He said Hua Hin district had seized 166kg, while Bangkok authorities had seized as much as 1,000kg, or one tonne, and said the situation could not be ignored.
Picture courtesy of Matichon
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11 August 2026
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