Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

 

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has seized more than 1.8 million litres of chemical substances suspected to be used in the illicit production of narcotics, following coordinated raids on five locations across Bangkok and neighbouring Samut Prakan province.

 

At a press briefing held on the morning of 20 June, at DSI headquarters on Chaeng Watthana Road, Pol. Lt. Col. Yutthana Praedam, Director-General of the DSI, was joined by senior officials from multiple agencies, including the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), the Ministry of Industry, the Department of Excise, the Institute of Forensic Science, and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau.

 

The raids were the result of a wider investigation that stemmed from a seizure made by officers at the Huai Ya-U checkpoint in Tak province on 19–20 September 2024. Officers intercepted a truck transporting 80 containers of acetone, classified as a Category 3 hazardous substance, weighing 12.8 tonnes. The driver was subsequently charged with illegal possession of hazardous materials.

 

Further investigation revealed that the seized chemicals originated from a warehouse belonging to a company based in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan and another site in Dokmai, Prawet district, Bangkok. The materials were purchased from a supplier in Bang Sao Thong, also in Samut Prakan, with the intention of being smuggled across the border to Myanmar via Tak province, an area known to be under the influence of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA).

 

Five Locations Raided

 

Following court-issued search warrants, officials conducted simultaneous raids at five targeted sites. The most significant discoveries were made at the following locations:

 

1. Factory in Bang Sao Thong, Samut Prakan

 

Authorities found large-scale chemical storage and repackaging equipment, including high-powered pumps and mixing tanks. Chemicals seized included:

 

• 119,600 litres of toluene

• 15,200 litres of acetone

• 22,990 litres of other hazardous substances

 

In addition, documents detailing chemical imports, exports, and inventory logs were confiscated.

 

2. Warehouse Complex in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan

 

Stored across five units, officers discovered massive quantities of dangerous chemicals:

 

• 264,200 litres of methylene chloride

• 377,000 litres of ethyl acetate

• 32,000 litres of acetone

• 28,400 litres of trichloroethylene

• 559,345 litres of various hydrocarbon solvents

 

3. Office and Warehouse in Dokmai, Prawet, Bangkok

 

Found at this location were 57,100 litres of acetone and 17,600 litres of unidentified chemicals, along with financial documents and records that could link the site to illegal import-export activity.

 

4 & 5. Additional Locations

 

While no chemicals were found, authorities confiscated accounting and shipping documents believed to be connected to the case.

 

Illegal Operations and Potential Charges

 

Pol. Lt. Col. Yutthana confirmed that the business operators involved failed to produce valid permits for possession of Category 3 hazardous substances, as required by the Hazardous Substances Act B.E. 2535 (1992). Many of the substances found, including acetone, methanol, and toluene, are commonly used in the manufacture of synthetic drugs.

 

Some of the chemicals also appear on a Ministry of Justice watchlist under its 2016 regulation on controlled substances used in the production of illicit narcotics. Consequently, the DSI and affiliated agencies seized and sealed the chemicals for forensic testing and will proceed with legal action.

 

Mr. Sunthorn Kaewsawang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Industrial Works, stated that the chemical storage and repackaging found at the sites breached several regulations. Offences include:

 

• Possession of unregistered hazardous materials

• Unlicensed repackaging and redistribution

• Operating an unregistered factory

 

Convictions could result in up to three years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 300,000 baht under hazardous substance laws, and a further two years’ imprisonment and 200,000 baht fine for unlicensed factory operations.

Excise Tax Evasion

 

According to Acting Advisor Lt. Yonyut Phumiprathet of the Excise Department, some of the seized substances, including approximately 400,000 litres of lubricating oil and 30,000 litres of hydrocarbon solvents, fall under excise regulations. As these products were held without proper licensing or excise payment, the department is preparing a tax claim exceeding 2.4 million baht. Offenders may also face fines of five to fifteen times the unpaid tax amount.

 

Further Investigation Underway

 

Forensic science specialist Kannika Sutthapojanarak revealed that one of the main sites contained 16 chemical storage tanks, each with a 50,000-litre capacity, connected to an extensive repackaging and distribution operation. Labels, delivery records and mismatched documentation suggest that some of the chemicals were intended for export under false pretences.

Mr. Suwit Singyu of ONCB added that investigators have identified two main groups involved: sellers and intermediaries linked to the main suspect company. Financial tracing and deeper investigations into business relationships are ongoing. Authorities have also uncovered evidence of identity fraud, with one chemical purchase made under the name of a deceased person.

 

The DSI has the authority to designate this case a “special case” under Announcement No. 8, enabling the Director-General to bypass standard board approval procedures. Legal proceedings against all involved parties are now expected to follow.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon 2025-06-21

 

 

Excellent work by the authorities keep up the good work

And how was this lot transported into Thailand without customs etc checks?