Major Haul of Contraband Cigarettes Seized at Thai-Cambodian Border Market

Picture courtesy of Amarin

Authorities have seized a massive haul of illegal cigarettes, with the estimated tax revenue loss to the state exceeding 32 million baht. The operation was carried out by a joint task force of military and security units operating in the border province of Chanthaburi.

At a press briefing held at 16:00 on 1 July at the 522nd Marine Ranger Company in Chab Taree village, Pong Nam Ron district, the Chanthaburi Marine Task Force, under the Border Protection Command for Chanthaburi and Trat, detailed the seizure of 26,050 cartons of untaxed cigarettes. The cigarettes, both foreign and domestic brands, were discovered hidden inside a locked and abandoned rental room located within a trade facilitation zone at the Chab Taree border market.

The operation began during a routine patrol when officers noticed unusual activity around a unit previously believed to be vacant. The door was padlocked from the outside, raising suspicions. After securing permission, the patrol team forced entry and discovered the contraband stashed inside.

Officers from the Chanthaburi Excise Department, Immigration Police, Customs Department and market administration joined the inspection. Upon examination, they confirmed that none of the cigarettes had undergone customs clearance, nor had any excise taxes been paid.

The seized contraband was taken into custody, and an investigation is now underway to identify the smuggling network responsible for the illicit importation and distribution of untaxed tobacco products along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Authorities are now preparing to expand the investigation in an effort to dismantle the wider smuggling operation believed to be behind the stockpile. The dramatic tax loss of 32,718,800 baht highlights the ongoing challenge faced by border enforcement agencies in tackling cross-border smuggling and black-market trade.

Officials have vowed to increase patrols and intelligence efforts in known high-risk areas and have called for greater cooperation between local businesses and law enforcement to prevent future smuggling attempts.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-07-03