Report Thai Border Police Foil Cigarette Smuggling Operation

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Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

In a significant border operation on July 6, Thai authorities detained two Cambodian nationals attempting to smuggle nearly 16,000 packs of untaxed cigarettes near the Khao Din market on the Thai-Cambodian border.

 

The successful interception was a collaborative effort involving the 1303rd Ranger Company, the 13th Ranger Regiment, the Khlong Hat Task Force from the Burapha Force, and the Sakaeo excise department. These authorities acted on a tip-off about potential smuggling activities using natural crossings behind the bustling Khao Din market, also known locally as Sri Phen market.

 

While conducting a patrol in the area, officers spotted individuals carrying suspicious red sacks. Upon stopping the suspects, two Cambodian men were found hauling untaxed cigarettes. They intended to distribute these within the market in Khlong Hat district, Sakaeo province.

 

The two men, identified as 36-year-old Kiet Kay and 22-year-old Khay Chuen, were detained on the spot. Officials reported that they seized approximately 15,600 packs of foreign cigarettes from the suspects.

 

Following their arrest, Kiet Kay and Khay Chuen were subjected to a thorough interrogation, during which details of their smuggling operation began to emerge. The confiscated cigarettes, valued in their home country, would have potentially circumvented significant excise tax within Thailand.

 

The authorities documented the seizure before transferring the goods and detainees to the local excise department for further action. Subsequently, they were taken to Khlong Hat Police Station, where they will face legal proceedings.

 

This incident underscores the ongoing efforts by Thai authorities to combat smuggling activities along the porous borders. The rigorous enforcement actions serve as a warning to those attempting to evade taxes and regulations, emphasising the strict vigilance maintained by Thai border security forces.

 

The seizure highlights a recurrent issue faced by border control in the region, where illicit activities can threaten local economies and governmental revenues. Official estimates suggest the street value of these seized cigarettes could amount to hundreds of thousands of Thai Baht, underscoring the financial magnitude of such operations.

 

As legal processes unfold, the Thai authorities remain vigilant, continually reinforcing measures to prevent similar incidents, protecting both the market integrity and national economy.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-07