An Indian national has been arrested after customs officers allegedly discovered around 6kg of the controlled anaesthetic etomidate in his luggage at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. The arrest took place on 24 July after the passenger arrived on a flight from Mumbai, with Bangkok listed as his final destination. According to Thailand’s Customs Department, officers found approximately 6,000 grammes of etomidate, including its packaging, with an estimated value of more than 4.2 million baht. The search was carried out by officers from the Suvarnabhumi Airport Passenger Control Customs Office together with the airport’s Investigation and Suppression Division. Drug classified alongside ketamine Authorities said the alleged import breached Thailand’s Narcotics Code, the Customs Act 2017 and other relevant legislation. Etomidate is a fast-acting, short-duration anaesthetic used in medical settings. In late July 2025, Thailand reclassified it as the 45th substance on its Category 2 psychotropic substances list, placing it in the same legal category as ketamine. Customs officials said the drug has increasingly been found mixed into e-cigarette liquids, commonly referred to by users as “zombie cigarettes” or “K-pods”. The department warned that while the drug may initially produce dream-like sensations, detachment from reality and euphoria, higher doses can cause irregular heartbeat, seizures, temporary paralysis, respiratory depression, unconsciousness or fatal shock. Increased border enforcement Customs Director-General Phanthong Loykulnanta said the department had stepped up inspections at airports, border checkpoints and postal parcel channels nationwide. The enhanced enforcement follows instructions from Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas to strengthen efforts against drug trafficking. Phanthong said customs officials were working with other agencies to prevent the import, export and transit of controlled substances through every available route, while also ensuring Thailand is not used as a transit hub for illicit drugs. Thailandtravel guides For foreign residents and visitors, the case is another reminder that Thailand takes a strict approach to controlled substances. Medicines and chemicals that may be legally available elsewhere can fall under Thailand’s narcotics or psychotropic substances laws, and travellers carrying prescription medicines or medical products should ensure they comply with Thai regulations before entering the country. Phanthong also urged the public, particularly young people, to be aware of the dangers posed by e-cigarettes containing controlled substances, warning that their effects could be life-threatening. Pictures courtesy of The Nation Join the discussion? 27 July 2026
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