Raid in Surat Thani: 53-year-old caught with 800 contraband cigarettes!

Raid in Surat Thani: 53-year-old caught with 800 contraband cigarettes!

In recent days there has been a significant police operation in the fight against the smuggling of tobacco products and alcohol in Thailand. Reported today, October 30, 2025 Thai tabloid, that Surat Thani police arrested a 53-year-old man who was caught transporting illegal cigarettes and alcohol in a van. The goods came from Mae Sot and were to be sold to Phuket.

The arrest took place on National Highway 41, Kilometer 137, in Sewiad Township, Tha Chang District. The officers spotted a suspicious white van with a heavy load and immediately carried out a check. In the vehicle they found several bags containing more than 800 packs of cigarettes and five bottles of alcohol that had not been taxed. The suspect, Mr Nu Daeng, confessed to transporting the goods to Phuket and is now facing serious charges. He was charged with “possession of untaxed goods for sale and assisting in the concealment of tax evasion.”

Illegal businesses targeted

This arrest is just part of a larger effort to combat illegal practices surrounding the importation of cigarettes and alcohol in Thailand. Loud DSI Another suspect, Ms. Roti Pa, was arrested in March 2024. She had been on the wanted list since 2022 for illegally importing cigarettes and foreign alcohol. The arrest took place in Chonburi and she is accused of violating several laws, including the 2017 Excise Law and the 2017 Customs Law.

The estimated damage their activities have caused to the state is over 560 million baht. Their illegal operations included not only trafficking in cigarettes, but also a warehouse for other foreign alcoholic beverages in Songkhla. The DSI follows these cases closely and shows no mercy to those who enrich themselves through illegal activities.

Educational work and legal action

The police, as per the instructions of Pol. Lt. Col. Yuthana Paedam intervened to arrest and remove the respective individuals. The officers informed the suspects of their rights, which is of great importance for legal certainty.

It is clear that the authorities are determined to take action against smuggling, which is also in the public interest. The recent incidents should sensitize the population and raise awareness of the dangers of illegal goods. This also shows how important it is to comply with laws and regulations - not only to protect buyers, but above all from an economic perspective for the state.

For more information on legal standards, customs duties and other topics, we recommend the website Customs, which provides comprehensive information.