Pictures courtesy of Matichon

Police have arrested two Russian nationals accused of running an illegal psilocybin mushroom (magic mushrooms) operation under the guise of a stress therapy centre in Phuket, seizing more than 10 kilogrammes of banned substances. Authorities said the group targeted foreign tourists, raising concerns over public safety and the island’s image.

The arrests followed a joint operation on 12 January by investigators from Region 8 Provincial Police, the Immigration Bureau’s Special Branch and officers from Chalong Police Station. Acting on a warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court, officers searched a rented house in Rawai, Mueang district.

Inside the property, police found 140 bags of psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known in Thailand as “hed khii khwai”, with a combined weight of about 10kg. The house was allegedly being used as the base for an operation calling itself “MUSHROOM TEMPLE”.

Three Russian nationals were identified using the property: Mr Rinat, Mr Aleksandr, and Ms Landysh. Police said Mr Rinat and Mr Aleksandr were tenants and in possession of the seized mushrooms.

Both men were taken into custody and handed over to investigators at Chalong Police Station. They face charges of jointly possessing a Category 5 narcotic for sale without permission, under Thai drug laws. Ms Landysh was not present during the raid and is believed to have fled before police arrived. Investigators said efforts are under way to locate and arrest her for prosecution.

According to police, the investigation began after complaints that a group of Russian nationals were secretly selling psilocybin mushrooms while claiming to offer stress relief therapy based on spiritual beliefs. Customers were allegedly charged fees to take part in sessions involving mushroom consumption.

Authorities said some clients reportedly became intoxicated after ingesting the mushrooms and were then required to pay additional money for “treatment”. Police warned that such activities could damage Phuket’s reputation as a safe location.

Investigators also expressed concern that the drugs could have been distributed at upcoming music festivals in the province. This risk prompted closer coordination between regional police, the Special Branch and local officers.

The operation was ordered by Pol Maj Gen Lertchai Champathong, commander of the Region 8 Investigation Bureau. Senior officers, including Pol Col Adipat Krungkrai and Pol Col Thepnom Suwanrat, were assigned to oversee the investigation and enforcement action.

Police said the case highlights ongoing efforts to tackle transnational crime involving foreign nationals in major tourist areas. Officials stressed that drug-related offences would be prosecuted strictly, regardless of the suspects’ nationality.

Matichon reported that investigators will continue tracing financial links, potential accomplices and customer networks connected to the MUSHROOM TEMPLE operation. Further arrests may follow as the inquiry expands.

Key Takeaways

• Police seized around 10kg of psilocybin mushrooms from a rented house in Rawai, Phuket.

• Two Russian nationals were arrested, while a third suspect fled and remains at large.

• Authorities warned the operation posed risks to tourists and Phuket’s tourism image.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon 2026-01-14

 

 

It's hard to take seriously any legal enforcement against magic mushrooms.

They were entirely legal until 1989 in Thailand, and there was little to no enforcement until around 2010, owing to the trivial side effects. These side effects are much more trivial than marijuana, which can, for example, induce schizophrenia in the genetically vulnerable.

This lax regime was not limited to Thailand. The UK and Japan, for example, both treated magic mushrooms in a grey zone of legal enforcement.

The UK government's own legal position was that wet magic mushrooms were legal but not dry ones. The Japanese government's position was precisely the reverse.

Unlike kratom it is entirely unaddictive. Unike marijuana there is no risk of schizophrenia. And research indicates it may well be something of a miracle drug for depressives.

Just legalize it.

23 hours ago, Gaccha said:

It's hard to take seriously any legal enforcement against magic mushrooms.

They were entirely legal until 1989 in Thailand, and there was little to no enforcement until around 2010, owing to the trivial side effects. These side effects are much more trivial than marijuana, which can, for example, induce schizophrenia in the genetically vulnerable.

This lax regime was not limited to Thailand. The UK and Japan, for example, both treated magic mushrooms in a grey zone of legal enforcement.

The UK government's own legal position was that wet magic mushrooms were legal but not dry ones. The Japanese government's position was precisely the reverse.

Unlike kratom it is entirely unaddictive. Unike marijuana there is no risk of schizophrenia. And research indicates it may well be something of a miracle drug for depressives.

Just legalize it.

Unfortunately the reason why these will not be legalised is money.

Government does not want to lose its tax income from alcohol sales, and the booze companies don't want to lose sales and so pressure politicians.

Russians on shrooms! If that don't beat all.

Theres more than 10 kgs there!

😬🤣

A long time since I read it but didn't Carlos Castaneda say he threw up a lot when he took magic mushrooms?

Not enticing.

18 minutes ago, Purdey said:

A long time since I read it but didn't Carlos Castaneda say he threw up a lot when he took magic mushrooms?

Not enticing.

I think that was mescaline (cacti)

47 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Carlos Castaneda say he threw up a lot when he took magic mushrooms?

Obviously if you take stupidly toxic levels of something then your body will respond by vomiting.

If you drink 6 litres of water in 1 hour there is a good chance you will die.

Everything is toxic in sufficient quantities. But magic mushrooms are of such low toxicity that it would be incredibly difficult to try and die from eating them. Your body will vomit it long before that happens.

Any argument against them based on mortality danger simply does not make sense.

Or as AI puts it:

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

A long time since I read it but didn't Carlos Castaneda say he threw up a lot when he took magic mushrooms?

Not enticing.

Mainly from Peyote

The arrests followed a joint operation

Pun intended ?

If the Russians are deported how long before they are Putin's cannon fodder in Ukraine?

Way back when before Phuket became the overpopulated mess that it is now, there were water buffalo in both Kamala and Cherngtalay. Neighbor of mine would pick those at certain times of year out of the poop patties and dry them out.

Gave em a go one time. Just made me laugh a lot, everything was funny.

Mixed with an abundance of alcohol would sure explain some of the Ruskie whacked out behavior.