Customs Seizes Smuggled Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes Worth 25.7 Million Baht
Customs seized smuggled cigarettes and e-cigarettes worth 25.7 million baht across Prachuap Khiri Khan province during a coordinated crackdown that began September 1, with a major interception at a checkpoint on Phetburi Road yielding nearl
On September 12, Titipong Khamphuay, chief of Prachuap Khiri Khan Customs, revealed that under directives from Customs Director General Puntthong Loykulanun, Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor Sitthichai Sawatdisen, customs development consultant Kicjaluk Srinuchsart, and Regional Customs Office 1 Director Niphawarn Yaibueathes, he coordinated with security agencies to enforce strict action against illegal goods. The integrated task force included the Prachuap Khiri Khan Excise Department, Border Patrol Police Region 14 Commander Akkrawan Seethanabunyubul, special forces units, provincial defense officials, and officers from fisheries, plant inspection, police, veterinary, and wildlife agencies.
Operation Khiri Guard began with inspections of the southern railway line at Prachuap Khiri Khan Railway Station, vehicle checkpoints on Phetburi Road, and transport companies. Intelligence indicated smugglers were moving tax-evaded goods from the south into Bangkok. From September 1 onwards, customs sealed off smuggling routes entering central areas.
On September 10, officers at a Huai Yang checkpoint on Phetburi Road in Tab Sakae District intercepted a major smuggling operation. The seizure included 3,869 foreign cigarette packs (773,800 cigarettes) valued at 8,767,154 baht, 186 electronic cigarettes valued at 103,490 baht, and 135 bottles of foreign herbal medicine without import permits valued at 26,325 baht. Total value and tax for this single interception: 8,896,969 baht.
Cumulative results from Operation Khiri Guard (September 1-10) show dramatic increases: 11,011 foreign cigarette packs (2.2 million cigarettes) worth 25,286,535 baht in taxes; 439 e-cigarettes and refill heads worth 235,157 baht; 23 counterfeit branded bags worth 132,894 baht; 135 bottles of foreign herbal medicine worth 26,325 baht; 53 bottles of foreign perfume worth 20,380 baht; and 816 bottles of smuggled soft drinks worth 10,448 baht. Total contraband and tax value reached 25,711,739 baht. These actions violate the Customs Act of 2017.
