Police in Pattaya have arrested three suspects and seized a quantity of drugs, vape liquids and related equipment during a crackdown on a so-called “Pod K” network involving Thai and Chinese nationals.

Get today's headlines by email

The operation took place on 9 March 2026 under the direction of Pol. Maj. Gen. Phongphan Wongmanithet, Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police. Senior officers Pol. Col. Kulchat Kulchai and Pol. Col. Wasurat Chaitheerapat also oversaw the operation led by Pol. Col. Anek Sarathongyu, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, and Pol. Lt. Col. Arut Sapanon, Deputy Superintendent of Investigations.

Officers from the Pattaya City Police narcotics suppression team arrested three suspects identified as Ms Wilawan, aged 25, Mr Zhang Yanwen, a 35-year-old Chinese national and Mr Phattharaphon, aged 27. The arrests followed coordinated searches and surveillance in Pattaya.

During the raid, police seized a range of illegal substances and materials. These included approximately 8.95 grams of crystal methamphetamine, seven methamphetamine tablets, 20 multi-coloured cartoon-shaped ecstasy pills, around 13.8 grams of “Happy Water”, and approximately 11.45 grams of powdered etomidate.

Authorities also confiscated more than 465 grams of vape liquid mixed with etomidate, commonly referred to as “Pod K”. Officers additionally discovered 324 ready-to-sell Pod K vape cartridges and around 6,000 empty vape cartridge sets.

Further items recovered included bottles of vape liquid and chemical components such as glycerine and propylene glycol, digital weighing scales, and packaging equipment believed to be used for distribution. Police also seized ammunition, including 83 rounds of 11-millimetre bullets and 20 rounds of 12-gauge shotgun shells, along with two mobile phones.

The arrests followed a police investigation after officers received information that Pod K products were being illegally sold in the area. Investigators arranged an undercover purchase through an informant at Sukhumvit Pattaya Soi 50.

When the suspects arrived for the arranged meeting, officers who had been monitoring the scene moved in and made the arrests. Police then expanded the operation, leading to the capture of the Chinese suspect and his Thai girlfriend at a condominium where additional production equipment was discovered.

Authorities say the case forms part of wider efforts to curb the spread of drug-infused vape products in Pattaya and surrounding areas. Police stated that investigations will continue to identify and dismantle any additional members of the network.

Pictures courtesy of เช็กข่าวพัทยา

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now เช็กข่าวพัทยา 10 Mar 2026

View full record

I think they are all facing a long time in the Bangkok Hilton as they appear to be involved on a large scale in the supply of drugs generally

It should almost be time to build another BKK Hilton.