A Thai woman detained in Japan for 20 days after crystal methamphetamine was found hidden in coffee sachets has warned travellers not to accept pre-packed parcels for overseas delivery.
Juthathip Thongnoi, known as Tian, was stopped by Japanese authorities in Fukuoka at about 7am on July 12 after agreeing to carry a parcel containing what appeared to be food and snacks. She said she had inspected the package but did not know drugs had been concealed inside.
"Looking back, it was not worth the money at all," she said.
Narcotics suppression officers took Juthathip to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau headquarters at 4.05pm on Saturday 1 August, after she had flown back from Japan, for questioning. Her father Thanasak Thongnoi, mother Kanyawee Fueangphian and boyfriend Sarawut were waiting for her in the Damapong meeting room.
Package arrived a day before her flight
Juthathip told reporters she had been contacted through the Line messaging app and offered payment to carry goods to Japan. Police identified the account as "ING ING", which investigators say had previously hired her for another carrying job in May.
She said the parcel appeared to contain ordinary food and snacks, and that the coffee sachets did not raise suspicions because the concealment was convincing. However, she later recalled that the Thai used in messages from the sender sounded unnatural, as if it had been translated.
She advised anyone considering a paid carrying job to buy and pack goods themselves, rather than accept sealed packages prepared by someone else.
For foreigners living in Thailand or travelling from the country, the case is a reminder that carrying another person's luggage, parcel or supposedly harmless food items can expose a traveller to customs and narcotics charges at their destination. Police said requests made shortly before departure, false online identities and items readily available overseas should all be treated as warning signs.
Police trace alleged network in Thailand
Pol Lt Gen Archayon said the Narcotics Suppression Bureau and Office of the Narcotics Control Board were investigating a suspected cross-border network.
Police allege that a Vietnamese national known as Mr Bang, identified as the person behind the "ING ING" account, entered Thailand through the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Mukdahan on July 8. He allegedly bought goods in Bangkok's Bang Kapi area on July 10, packed them with the coffee sachets, and arranged an app-based courier to deliver the parcel to Juthathip's home at 9.20pm that night.
According to police, Bang left Thailand through the Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Nakhon Phanom on July 12.
Investigators arrested Ms Ho, who used a Thai bank account under the name Ho Thi Mai, on July 28. Police said around 12 million baht moved through the account over one year. She remains in custody, while Mr Tang, another Vietnamese national believed to be in Vietnam, is alleged to have managed money for the group.
The origin of the methamphetamine remains unknown. Police are examining whether it was packaged abroad or brought into Thailand before being hidden in the coffee sachets.
Asked whether she would take another paid carrying job, Juthathip replied: "I don't think I'll do it again."
Pictures courtesy of The Nation
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3 August 2026
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