Customs Seizes Smuggled Cigarettes, Alcohol Worth 37 Million Baht
Customs authorities in Prachuap Khiri Khan seized contraband cigarettes, alcohol, and other goods worth 37 million baht during a month-long anti-smuggling operation, with smugglers increasingly using express delivery to evade detection.
Prachuap Khiri Khan Customs launched Operation Kirikhun to combat smuggling of tax-evading goods, seizing contraband cigarettes and alcohol valued at over 37 million baht. On September 24, 2569, Thitipon Khumphui, chief of Prachuap Khiri Khan Customs, coordinated with multiple security and enforcement agencies including the Special Investigation Bureau Regional Operation Center 7, Excise Department, Border Patrol Police Region 14, Army rangers, provincial administration, and the animal quarantine station. Joint forces conducted vehicle inspections on Petchkasem Road and at transport companies in Prachuap Khiri Khan province following intelligence of illegal goods being smuggled from the south to Bangkok.
On September 23, 2569, officers manning a checkpoint at Huay Yang station in Tab Sakae district discovered smuggled goods in a transport vehicle, including 4,703 foreign cigarettes (47,030 packs or 940,600 individual sticks) valued at 10.66 million baht including taxes, 10 bottles of foreign liquor worth 7,000 baht, 120 bottles of soft drinks worth 3,000 baht, and 10 bags of tea valued at 1,200 baht. The total seized value for that day was 10.67 million baht.
From September 1-23, 2569, officers inspected 453 target packages and filed 15 cases. Significant seizures included 16,082 foreign cigarettes (160,820 packs or over 3.2 million individual sticks) worth approximately 36.7 million baht, 439 electronic cigarettes and cartridges, 23 bags, 135 boxes of herbal medicine, 53 bottles of perfume, 960 bottles of soft drinks, 10 bottles of foreign liquor, 10 bags of tea, and 4 boxes of dried longan. The total value of all seized goods and taxes recovered over the 23-day operation reached 37.22 million baht.
These actions violate the Customs Act 2560 and Excise Tax Act 2560. Authorities have seized all contraband and initiated legal proceedings. Thitipon revealed that intelligence meetings with the Special Investigation Bureau Region 7, Thailand Tobacco Monopoly, and regional security agencies indicated smugglers have adopted sophisticated tactics, shifting from large truck shipments to express delivery methods to avoid detection.
