Excise Department Seizes 408,000 Smuggled Cigarettes in July
Thailand's Excise Department seized over 408,000 smuggled cigarette packs in July as part of nationwide crackdowns on tax-evasion networks, with tobacco cases accounting for roughly 63 percent of all enforcement actions during the month.
The Excise Department reported July 2025 enforcement results, seizing over 408,000 contraband cigarette packs and cracking down on tax-evasion networks nationwide. Director-General Pornchai Theeraphet said the department continues to intensify prevention and enforcement measures against illegal excise goods, particularly smuggled cigarettes, which remain the most frequently detected contraband and cause significant damage to state revenue and legitimate businesses.
The department is coordinating with security agencies, the Royal Thai Police, the Customs Department, the military, and other relevant bodies to strengthen investigations, intelligence gathering, and proactive operations to intercept smuggling networks. For the 10-month fiscal period from October 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025, the Excise Department secured 32,812 cases with fines totaling 901.82 million baht and estimated total fines of 4,508.18 million baht. Tobacco cases remained the largest category, accounting for 20,160 cases or approximately 61 percent of all cases, with fines of 609.39 million baht and estimated fines of 4,376.97 million baht, along with seizure of 4,862,367 cigarette packs.
In July 2025 alone, the department secured 3,196 cases with fines totaling 79.52 million baht and estimated total fines of 248.78 million baht. Tobacco cases dominated at 2,008 cases or approximately 63 percent, with fines of 58.10 million baht and estimated fines exceeding 239.91 million baht, along with seizure of 408,205 cigarette packs.
Director-General Pornchai noted that smuggling networks continue to adapt their methods, including border crossings, maritime transport, using private residences and distribution centers as storage facilities, and moving goods in smaller quantities to evade inspection. However, integrated operations with relevant agencies have successfully intercepted major cases across the country.
The highest-value case in July involved the seizure of 124,922 packs of Grolion-brand cigarettes marked "FOR EXPORT ONLY" in Kanchanaburi Province on July 29, with estimated fines reaching 124.08 million baht, demonstrating attempts to smuggle export-only goods back into the country to avoid taxes.
On July 14, the Songkhla Excise Office, in coordination with the National Police Office and police, seized 56,000 packs of untaxed cigarettes in Jana District, Songkhla Province, with estimated fines exceeding 35.17 million baht. Although no suspects were arrested, evidence was forwarded for prosecution and further investigation. Additional major cases were reported in Satun Province involving 10,000 packs of foreign cigarettes with estimated fines of 9.42 million baht.
