Pictures courtesy of Daily News.

 

Police are hunting three Russian nationals who allegedly stole high-grade cannabis worth 160,000 baht from a medical cannabis clinic in Pattaya, Chon Buri.

 

Mr Chuan­chom Panboon, 55, the proprietor of the clinic on Soi Khao Talo, said the trio arrived at about 21:25, on 3 July in a blue Ford bearing the registration plate จบ 4150 Chon Buri. Posing as customers, they spent more than 30 minutes discussing the purchase of two kilograms of organic, grade-A dried cannabis buds.

 

After the price was agreed at ฿160,000, Mr Chuan­chom placed the packaged cannabis on the counter and turned away to prepare sales documents. In that instant, the three men hurried out, jumped into their car and sped off, taking the entire consignment with them.

 

Security-camera images of the suspects and their vehicle were posted on social media, and Mr Chuan­chom swiftly lodged a formal complaint with Nong Prue Police Station. He is offering a ฿20,000 reward for information leading to the gang’s capture, insisting the theft was clearly pre-meditated.

 

Police Region 2 investigators have now circulated the CCTV stills and are reviewing local traffic-camera footage to trace the car’s route. Officers believe the men may still be in the Pattaya area and are liaising with immigration authorities in case they attempt to flee the country.

 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Nong Prue Police Station.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Daily News 2025-07-11

 

 

 

Its becoming like Canada or even worse UK.

Russians r mostly criminals.

Are these shops even supposed to accommodate bulk purchases?

Two Kg seems to be plenty for some personal use.

This is likely what has created recent stricter oversight on the sale of this stuff... too many people being caught with suitcases full of the stuff originating in Thailand and heading into European countries. 

Why would you bother? these days CCTV everywhere, 

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

Are these shops even supposed to accommodate bulk purchases?

Two Kg seems to be plenty for some personal use.

This is likely what has created recent stricter oversight on the sale of this stuff... too many people being caught with suitcases full of the stuff originating in Thailand and heading into European countries. 

Yeah, i am confused about this also. Why would a medical cannabis shop even consider selling 2kg worth of weed to a foreigner knowing full well it is not for personal use. Did they supply a medical certificate for their need to use the weed? The shop clerk should be arrested and charged as well. This incident is akin to users buying from a drug dealer and the dela going sour. Surely the shop was breaking the law as well. 

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

leading to the gang’s capture,

Russian Gangs.......check

Chinese Gangs....check

American Gangs....NOPE

UK Gangs........Have no idea

Australian Gangs.....no clue

Nigerian Gangs.... probably. 

3 hours ago, Celsius said:

Its becoming like Canada or even worse UK.

I've never heard of Russian punks stealing cannabis from shops in the UK before, so I beg to differ.

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

Two Kg seems to be plenty for some personal use.

Surely you mean "medical" use.

Stop the cops confiscating everything.....not a good move! But Russians don't care.....

Why? Where is the win here for a few thousand dollars?

 

Its easy. Cannabis creates criminality.

22 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Surely you mean "medical" use.

Getting supplies to use at BHP?

On 7/11/2025 at 4:25 AM, Celsius said:

Its becoming like Canada or even worse UK.

If Thailand remotely resembles Canada I'm out.

Parking outside with their license plate in full view like the ones who rob gold stores on their scooters and are later caught at mom's or grandma's house. Unless the car was stolen, shouldn't be hard to find.

How do they know they are Russian?

Did they already show their IDs?

On 7/11/2025 at 7:57 AM, thesetat said:

Yeah, i am confused about this also. Why would a medical cannabis shop even consider selling 2kg worth of weed to a foreigner knowing full well it is not for personal use. Did they supply a medical certificate for their need to use the weed? The shop clerk should be arrested and charged as well. This incident is akin to users buying from a drug dealer and the dela going sour. Surely the shop was breaking the law as well. 

Sounds like the Russians have been exploiting these shops for a while 

 

 

That'll get em high, lol

On 7/10/2025 at 5:25 PM, Celsius said:

Its becoming like Canada or even worse UK.

 

When was the last Cannabis theft from a cannabis medical clinic in Canada?

Has there ever been a theft from a medical dispensary in Canada?

On 7/11/2025 at 4:30 AM, norsurin said:

Russians r mostly criminals.

 

How did they know they were Russians?

 

Speaking Russian doesn't automatically make them Russian citizens or even ethnic Russians.

 

Many Ukrainian nationals speak Russian as their first language, as well as many citizens of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Lithuania, Moldova, etc.

 

That said, enough is enough! Stricter visa policy is required for certain countries.

 

 

Send those things  back to Putler, when arrested.

So will be tossed into the meat grinder of the ongoing war.

Even higher death rate than Bkk  Hilton.

 

Here on tourist visa????

Would selling 2kg at once not be illegal unless supplying it to another weed shop ? 

Highly unlikely personal medicinal use would be a good excuse .

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

If Thailand remotely resembles Canada I'm out.

As a Canadian who left decades ago and hasn't returned since 2012, I am intrigued by your comment. Can you elaborate a little on why you'd rush out of Thailand if it even "remotely resembled Canada"?  

UPDATE:

 

Pattaya Police Close In on Russian Cannabis Thieves After Spotting Suspicious Cloud of Smoke and Trail of Empty Snack Wrappers Leading to Rented Villa

1 hour ago, JJ-Thailand said:

Here on tourist visa????

 

Criminal element came in in the disguise of quality tourists.

Sounds more like they were the ones getting ripped off 🤣 you can easily get 2kg for around 30k baht.