Thai narcotics police arrested five Malaysian suspects and seized 440 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine hidden in four Malaysian-registered vehicles at a hotel in Nakhon Pathom province on 14 May 2026. The operation followed an investigation into a previous drug seizure involving 102 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine concealed in a car speaker box on 5 May 2026.
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The crackdown was carried out under directives from the Thai government and the Royal Thai Police, led by Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police. The operation was overseen by the Narcotics Suppression Bureau and the Police Narcotics Suppression Centre under the command of Lieutenant General Achayon Kraithong, Commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau.
Investigators from Narcotics Suppression Division 4 and the Transport Division tracked a Malaysian-registered vehicle believed to be linked to the earlier seizure. Police said the vehicle crossed into Thailand through the Padang Besar checkpoint in Songkhla province before travelling towards Nakhon Pathom.
Officers followed the vehicle to a hotel in Mueang district, Nakhon Pathom, where three additional Malaysian-registered vehicles later arrived. Police moved in and arrested all five suspects as they prepared to leave the hotel in a convoy.
Authorities discovered 440 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine concealed inside the four vehicles. Police also seized the vehicles and launched further investigations into assets linked to the cross-border trafficking network and other suspected accomplices involved in the logistics operation.
Lieutenant General Achayon said the arrests reflected the government’s policy and the Royal Thai Police strategy of targeting foreign nationals involved in criminal activity in Thailand. He added that investigators would continue examining financial trails and identifying Thai or foreign nominees suspected of assisting drug trafficking operations.
The Royal Thai Police stated that authorities would continue strengthening cooperation with international agencies to prevent foreign criminal groups from using Thailand as a base for illegal activities. Officials also confirmed efforts would continue to trace and confiscate assets connected to the trafficking network.
Pictures courtesy of InsideThailand
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Adapted by ASEAN Now InsideThailand 17 May 2026