UPDATE Thai ONCB Officers Question Air Hostess Mother in Phayao Picture courtesy of Daily News Officers from Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Northern Region, working with Phu Kam Yao police, visited a home in Phayao province, on 30 June 2026, to question the mother of a Thai air hostess accused in a major drug trafficking case linked to Australia. The visit lasted around 40 minutes, during which statements were recorded and read back to the interviewee and her family. The mother, identified only as “Nang Suay”, requested privacy and asked media not to record images inside the property, appearing visibly distressed as officials gathered information and assessed the family’s situation. The case relates to a Thai airline cabin crew member arrested in Melbourne, Australia, after heroin was allegedly concealed inside the linings of OTOP-branded elephant-pattern bags within checked luggage. According to investigators, the suspect responded to an online request for parcel handling after posting in a Facebook group offering luggage-handing services. She was later contacted by an account named “Rose”, which offered 8,800 baht to transport a 20 kilogram bag to Australia. Authorities said a brown parcel delivered via a ride-hailing courier to a Bangkok condominium contained multiple bags, some of which were the ones later found to contain heroin embedded in fabric. Officials from the ONCB said the Phayao visit formed part of routine inquiries into the suspect’s background and living conditions. The mother reportedly told officers she only learned of the arrest through embassy contact and expressed shock over the situation. Investigators are also examining whether a wider Thai-based network was involved, while confirming that a ride-hailing driver who delivered the parcel is being traced for questioning. Authorities noted that the family has modest financial circumstances, with the suspect regularly sending money home to help cover vehicle instalments. The Daily New reported that ONCB continues to coordinate with Australian Federal Police and the Thai embassy in Australia as legal proceedings progress overseas. The suspect remains in custody in Australia pending court processes, with officials expecting further developments in the coming weeks. Digital evidence, including social media communications and delivery records, is being reviewed to determine intent and establish whether additional suspects are involved in the operation. Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 30 June 2026
