Thai sugar disguised as Vietnamese in Kampot raid

Cambodian authorities have exposed a scheme in Kampot province where Thai sugar was being repackaged into sacks labelled as Vietnamese, in what officials say was a deliberate attempt to deceive consumers and bypass a boycott on Thai goods.

The raid on 13 May, led by provincial governor Mao Thonin, targeted a workshop in Kampong Tnaot village, Tuek Chhou district. Officers discovered tonnes of sugar originally packed in Thai‑marked bags being transferred into new sacks printed with Vietnamese text. Images from the scene show large piles of seized sugar awaiting inspection.

“The owner of the site was surreptitiously changing the original packaging to misrepresent the source of the goods,” the provincial administration confirmed. The operation involved police, gendarmerie, customs officials, consumer protection officers and representatives from the provincial court.

Workers at the site were ordered to be paid in full before being released, with their identities recorded for the investigation. Authorities also questioned individuals who were present to buy sugar, aiming to trace the wider network behind the scheme.

Governor Thonin pledged legal action against those responsible, stressing that the crackdown is part of a broader effort to protect consumers and uphold trade integrity. Officials say the investigation is continuing and that those behind the operation will be held accountable.

The case highlights the sensitivity of cross‑border commerce in Cambodia, where boycotts and consumer campaigns can quickly reshape demand. By disguising Thai sugar as Vietnamese, the operators appear to have sought to bypass political and economic pressures while profiting from unsuspecting buyers.

Provincial officers have promised that those involved will face “sweet justice”, as the probe widens to uncover the full network behind the illicit trade.

-2026-05-14