Picture from raid.

 

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has launched a major raid on a company suspected of illegally importing pork into Thailand, disguising the shipments as fish to evade customs duties. The scheme, which has allegedly been operating for several years, is believed to have a financial impact of over 20 billion baht.

 

At 10:00 on 6 February, a DSI investigation team, led by Pol. Lt. Col. Nathaphon Disayatham, executed a search warrant at Thienkham Dairy Corporation Co., Ltd., a company located in Muak Lek District, Saraburi Province.

 

Despite presenting the warrant, the company’s owner, Songpol Thienkham, was not present. Instead, the company’s manager, Supawadee Chakratok, received the officials, who then proceeded with the search.

 

According to investigators, this business was allegedly a key player in the illegal pork smuggling operation. Authorities suspect that the company was forging import documents, falsely declaring pork shipments as fish to exploit a 0% import tariff.

 

Investigations revealed that between 1 December 2020 and 13 June 2023, Songpol Thienkham and Buriboon Lawopakasin, two businessmen believed to be linked to the same political and financial network, were behind the illegal imports. Their operation involved bringing frozen pork carcasses into Thailand through Laem Chabang Port, avoiding millions in tax duties. The smuggled pork was then distributed to supermarkets and retailers nationwide.

 

Authorities have identified at least four subsidiary companies connected to the main suspect, including:

 

1. The Winner Trading Co., Ltd.

2. UJ Interfood Co., Ltd.

3. Giant Trading Co., Ltd.

4. Grand Food Co., Ltd.

 

Further investigations uncovered nearly 500 suspicious transactions between the targeted company and other firms, including several foreign suppliers of frozen pork. The company was also found to have links to at least 10 other firms already under investigation.

 

Authorities suspect that the company laundered money through multiple accounts, with a total turnover estimated at 20 billion baht. During Thailand’s African Swine Fever outbreak in 2021–2023, when domestic pork prices surged, these companies reportedly saw an abnormal spike in revenue, raising suspicions of large-scale smuggling.

 

Given the international nature of the operation, the DSI has requested cooperation from foreign authorities in countries including Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Brazil, all of which were listed as suppliers of the smuggled pork. Investigators will travel to these countries later this month to examine shipping invoices and customs declarations.

 

Authorities also revealed that other companies had used similar methods to disguise frozen pork imports. Some declared shipments as polymer sheets or seafood to evade scrutiny. The DSI is currently reviewing over 6,000 shipping containers linked to these other operations. Each shipment was estimated to generate over 2 million baht in profit, meaning the total value of the fraud could exceed 10 billion baht.

 

During today’s raid, investigators did not find physical evidence of illegal imports at the company’s premises. However, financial records suggest a direct link between the firm and the smuggling operation.

 

Authorities have now issued a summons for Songpol Thienkham to provide an explanation regarding the company’s activities and the use of its premises for suspected illegal transactions.

 

The DSI has vowed to continue its crackdown on smuggling networks, particularly those that manipulate import regulations to evade taxes and disrupt the local economy.

 

-- 2025-02-07

 

 

On 2/7/2025 at 5:16 AM, Georgealbert said:

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has launched a major raid on a company suspected of illegally importing pork into Thailand, disguising the shipments as fish to evade customs duties. The scheme, which has allegedly been operating for several years, is believed to have a financial impact of over 20 billion baht.

Customs on the ball again, surely consignments were vetted to verify what they were labeled as ??

 

A big concern is the vast amount of smuggled pork was unlikley to be transported  under hygienic conditions and may contain harmful bacteria undetected by health officials. 

On 2/7/2025 at 6:16 AM, Georgealbert said:

The scheme, which has allegedly been operating for several years, is believed to have a financial impact of over 20 billion baht.

That's a lot of pork, and a lot of brown envelopes!

 

And I guess they got caught in the end as something didn't smell fishy?