Five Vietnamese nationals wanted in connection with a drug trafficking case in Vietnam have been arrested in Bangkok after officers from Thailand’s Immigration Bureau tracked them to two apartments in the Sukhumvit area. Get today's headlines by email The arrests followed a request from the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security, made through its representatives in Thailand, seeking the deportation of three suspects, including Mr Tran, who is wanted on charges of illegally distributing narcotics in Vietnam. Thai immigration authorities had previously revoked Mr Tran’s visa and ordered investigators from Division 1 of the Immigration Bureau’s Investigation Division to locate him. On 1 July 2026, senior Immigration Bureau officers, including Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, received a report that Mr Tran was staying at apartments in the Sukhumvit area. Investigators obtained a search warrant from the South Bangkok Criminal Court and searched two rooms. Officers spent around one hour and 30 minutes knocking and waiting, on the first apartment door before it was opened. During that time, they reported hearing repeated toilet flushing. Inside, they found Mr Tran, Miss Thi, Miss Thi, and Mr Huy. Police seized 2.14 grams of ketamine contained in a zip-lock bag, drug-taking equipment and other items, totalling eight exhibits. Investigators also found residue believed to be methamphetamine inside the toilet. Testing of the toilet water confirmed the presence of methamphetamine. During a search of the second apartment, officers found another Miss Thi along with drug paraphernalia. Urine tests conducted on all five suspects returned positive results for methamphetamine. While officers were carrying out the operation, building management alerted them that items had been thrown from the building. Police recovered a stainless steel container and seven resealable bags, six of which contained methamphetamine tablets. The items were seized as evidence while investigators work to identify their owner and source. Suspects one to three were charged with jointly possessing a Category 2 narcotic (ketamine) without permission and using a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine). The fourth suspect faces the same charges, together with remaining in Thailand after permission to stay had expired. The fifth suspect was charged with using methamphetamine. All five were handed over to investigators at Lumpini Police Station for legal proceedings. Following any court rulings in Thailand, authorities said those wanted by Vietnam would be deported to face the outstanding drug trafficking charges there. Thaitabloid reported that The Immigration Bureau urged members of the public to report foreign nationals suspected of criminal activity to local immigration offices or via the Immigration Bureau hotline on 1178. Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 3 July 2026
View full article
