Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Police and excise officials launched a major operation this week, raiding seven locations across Bangkok and Samut Prakan and seizing vast quantities of contraband cigarettes and alcohol. The estimated tax losses to the state exceed 845 million baht.

 

The raids, which took place on the morning of 11 April, were led by Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, with support from senior officers including Major General Nopphasit Phulsawat, Deputy Commissioner responsible for investigations, and Major General Pallop Aermla, overseeing narcotics operations.

 

One of the key arrests was that of Mr Ma Ming, a 37-year-old Chinese national, who was found at a private residence in the Ekkamai-Ram Inthra area of Lat Phrao, Bangkok. His arrest followed extensive surveillance and investigation into a network suspected of importing and distributing untaxed foreign cigarettes and spirits.

 

Seven teams of officers were deployed simultaneously to carry out coordinated searches. These included raids at a company based in Rama 9 and a warehouse in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan. The operation resulted in the seizure of:

 

• 668,407 packs of imported cigarettes

 

• 23,721 bottles of foreign liquor, including premium brands

 

The seized items were valued at over 845 million baht in tax liabilities, according to the Excise Department.

 

Mr Ma Ming was taken into custody and handed over to the investigating officers for legal proceedings. The confiscated goods were partly sent to the Excise Department under the Ministry of Finance for further verification.

 

Major General Chotiwat Luangwilai, Head of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Division, emphasised that the crackdown was part of a broader campaign to eliminate the illegal trade of untaxed alcohol and tobacco products in Thailand. He stated that such actions are essential to protect legitimate businesses that comply with tax laws, including local tobacco farmers and Thailand Tobacco Monopoly.

 

Authorities also warned of the public health risks associated with consuming unregulated products. The joint operation saw the use of modern technology and tools to ensure precise enforcement and data collection on offenders and their networks.

 

The crackdown reflects a growing commitment by Thai authorities to combat illicit trade and ensure the integrity of the country’s tax and public health systems.

 

-- 2025-04-14

 

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The estimated tax losses to the state exceed 845 million baht.

 

It is only a very large 'tax loss' because of Thailand's extortionate tariffs.

Bingo!! Big win for the cops!

Wonder if they'll share any of it?

It would be surprising if a smuggling ring of this size wasn't operating under the protection of the BIB. Possibly a turf war within the ranks, or the brown envelopes were getting anorexic.  

16 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

Bingo!! Big win for the cops!

Wonder if they'll share any of it?

They will have drank and smoked it before it leaves the evidence locker

That sure is a lot of stock. It would take a fair while to sell. I wonder how long it had been going on.

Yet again, more Chinese criminals discovered in Thailand.

 

When will the Thai government get the message?  But maybe they know already, the big Chinese-Thai businesses which own the government "involved" in this "affair"?