Troops Seize Smuggled Cigarettes Worth Over 2.25 Million Baht in Kanchanaburi

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

Troops from the Surasee Task Force have arrested a man transporting smuggled cigarettes worth more than 2.25 million baht, which were destined for Chonburi province.

The operation was led by Maj Gen Atsadawut Panyarachun, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division and Chief of the Surasee Task Force, in cooperation with Mr. Atisorn Intrara, Governor of Kanchanaburi. Acting on intelligence from local informants, authorities learned of an attempt to smuggle contraband cigarettes from the border into inland provinces.

Col Phannasak Priawpanich, Commander of the 29th Infantry Regiment and head of the Lardya Task Force, along with his deputy Col Piyanes Phattarasasawatwong, coordinated with the 134th Border Patrol Police Company, Sangkhla Buri Police Station, and local district officials to establish a checkpoint at Ban Nam Krik in Moo 8, Tambon Nong Lu, Sangkhla Buri District.

At the checkpoint, a Toyota van bearing Bangkok registration was stopped on suspicion, matching information received by investigators. The van was travelling from Sangkhla Buri towards Thong Pha Phum.

Upon inspection, the driver, identified as Mr. Kraiponsak Wanna, 35, was found to be transporting 2,500 cartons of untaxed cigarettes, hidden in the back of the vehicle and wrapped in black plastic bags in an attempt to evade detection.

During questioning, the suspect admitted he had been hired to deliver the illegal goods to Chonburi, where an unidentified party was due to collect and distribute the cigarettes for sale.

The seized goods were handed over to Sangkhla Buri Police Station for legal proceedings. Authorities are now working to trace those involved further up the smuggling network.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-07-15