Thai customs officials have seized more than 15,000 imported food items worth around 3.5 million baht during a raid on a long-established wholesale importer in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), uncovering products allegedly smuggled into Thailand, lacking Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, and including expired goods. Get today's headlines by email Prasit Deejongcharoen, Director of Chong Chom Customs Checkpoint, said the operation followed government instructions to strengthen action against illegal products, particularly food and beverages that could pose risks to public health and increase healthcare costs. The policy was issued by Customs Department Director-General Phanthong Loykulnan, Deputy Director-General Suntreeya Tawichaprasit, and Customs Region 2 Director Lalita Attapimon. Chong Chom Customs, which oversees Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin and Buri Ram provinces, intensified surveillance of suspected smuggled goods and gathered sufficient evidence to obtain a search warrant from the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court. The raid, codenamed “End of Luxury Food”, targeted a major imported food warehouse and supermarket that has reportedly operated for more than 10 years. Officials said the business catered mainly to affluent and foreign customers and operated wholesale, retail, online sales and a ready-to-eat food service. Authorities said staff were packing orders for customers across Thailand when officers entered the premises. Among the goods seized were canned food, sauces, seasonings, snacks and alcoholic beverages. Customs officers alleged that some products had been illegally imported without customs clearance, lacked mandatory Thai FDA certification, and included expired items. In total, more than 15,000 products with an estimated value of 3.5 million baht were seized. According to Prasit, the business owner cooperated with investigators and claimed the products had been purchased from another supplier. The owner said they had been unaware that the goods were required to carry approval marks and other regulatory certification from relevant government agencies. Prasit said officials remained concerned about the possible impact of the products already distributed to consumers, although he did not estimate how widely they had been sold. The Daily News reported that he added that customs authorities would continue intensifying enforcement against illegal consumer goods that fail to meet official safety standards, in line with government policy. He also warned business operators that ignorance of the law would not be accepted as a defence and urged anyone knowingly trading illegal goods to stop, adding that customs officers would continue investigations and enforcement despite the department having abolished cash rewards for informants. Pictures courtesy of Daily News Join the discussion? 13 July 2026
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