Pictures courtesy of Siam Rath

 

BANGKOK - At Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport, authorities apprehended a 68-year-old Australian man who was attempting to smuggle 4.26 kilograms of methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, hidden within luggage and soap bars.

 

The Customs Department, in collaboration with the Airport Interdiction Task Force (ATIF) and Thai authorities, flagged the passenger en route to Perth, Australia.

 

Upon inspection using an X-ray machine, officials discovered the illicit drugs cleverly concealed in a black hard-shell suitcase, side bag, and 12 soap bars, valued at approximately 1,276,500 baht.

 

Thailand's Customs spokesperson, Mr Panthong Loykulnunt, highlighted the ongoing efforts to tighten security and prevent drug trafficking across all channels.

 

The operation resulted from coordinated efforts among the Customs Department, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB), which utilised intelligence data to identify high-risk individuals.

 

The confiscated methamphetamine tested positive for illegal substances when analysed with the ONCB051 Marquis Reagent.

 

This arrest underscores a violation of Thailand's Customs Act, sections 242, 252, 166, and 167, which relate to the unauthorised export and possession of Category 1 narcotics.

 

 

This incident adds to the already substantial number of drug-related cases that have been intercepted by the Customs Department this fiscal year, highlighting the ongoing challenge of tackling the illicit drug trade, reported Siam Rath.

 

From October 2023 to mid-August 2024, officials seized various drugs, including ice, heroin, cocaine, and yaba, totalling 197 cases with a combined value of over 1.265 billion baht.

 

The Thai government remains committed to safeguarding society by intensifying its actions against illegal imports and exports, reflecting its unwavering stance against narcotics.

 

This latest seizure illustrates the robust and persistent efforts to tackle drug smuggling and protect communities from the dangers that these substances pose.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Siam Rath 2025-08-18

 

What an idiot, 68 years old and now will spend the rest of his short life in a thai prison and most likely will die in there. Serves him right though. 

Soap bars ! That's a new one .

G'day G'gone skip🤔

In this day and age, how can anyone be so stupid that they think this will work?

He should have ensured he had a pension rather than resorting to that for money. 

Unsuspecting drug mule? Either way a silly old fool that's in for a bad time.

Clever guy

Why do these people attempt to go through the airport? Why not try mailing it instead?

15 minutes ago, Deserted said:

He should have ensured he had a pension

 

Perhaps he has, and was in a bad gambling debt. 

G'Day Sir, welcome to the Bangkok Hilton.

His going to lose that VB beer gut,  real quick.

68 years old and drug trafficking, idiot.

 

22 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Unsuspecting drug mule? Either way a silly old fool that's in for a bad time.

While often difficult to fathom, many people really are very gullible, or not very smart or very desperate.  

2 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

Soap bars ! That's a new one .

He should've told them it was flour, that worked for one notable guy several years ago.

He was bound to get nabbed either departing BKK or entering Perth, you know your luggage is going through the xray machines and any unusual looking things get a closer check. 

Was this a tip off by someone, it doesn't say?

Was it pure luck that they found him?

I am pretty sure many passengers carry strange things ,(legal) in their suitcases.

Hang him

2 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

Soap bars ! That's a new one .

Maybe to try and fool any sniffer dogs? 

Why dont the Thai's just let him go through and let the authorities in Perth, let them deal with it, all this does is cost Thailand, 

43 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Why dont the Thai's just let him go through and let the authorities in Perth, let them deal with it, all this does is cost Thailand, 

 

Just jail him here, then send the bill to Australia for incarcerating him, got to be way cheaper to jail him here than in the land down under.

IDIOT!!!!

I was asked by a friend to do him a favor....

5 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

Soap bars ! That's a new one .

Like, what were they thinking, 12 bars of soap won’t draw any undue attention by customs, because everybody knows you can’t buy soap in Thailand, so he was just stocking up.

5 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

Soap bars ! That's a new one .

 

If the Aussie is of Indian origin, I can see why he would be flagged.

4 hours ago, Packer said:

 

Perhaps he has, and was in a bad gambling debt. 

……or a sick buffalo ….or kangaroo?

What a tool soap bars he will be picking them up in prison at his age its a life sentence

2 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Why dont the Thai's just let him go through and let the authorities in Perth, let them deal with it, all this does is cost Thailand, 

Maybe they want to keep him here as Minister of Agriculture

There is a precedent.

He is 68 and going to prison....God, that is hell on Earth.

2 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Just jail him here, then send the bill to Australia for incarcerating him, got to be way cheaper to jail him here than in the land down under.

Hmmm. Interesting if countries should or do share costs and bill each other depending on circumstances

41 minutes ago, Taboo2 said:

He is 68 and going to prison....God, that is hell on Earth.

Darn.  I recently turned 68 and just started USA social security which pays pretty well as I have a long history of decent engineering pay.  I can't imagine doing anything really stupid to make my remaining years so uncomfortable,  I walk away now from arguments, family crazy sister that stole 1500 USD from me, etc.  I prefer to avoid as much "imperial interference" as possible and just go about my way.  Dealt with one crazy lady last year and one crazy sister this year.  I could have one lose her security clearance due to drug use.  I could sue the other in small claims court, file a police report etc.  But I will let others deal with them as time goes on.  Awaiting my 16th trip to Thailand this fall