PM Cancels Freedom Beach Inspection, Rushes to Ranong to Check 50 Million Baht Smuggled Goods Warehouse
The Prime Minister canceled a Phuket beach inspection to personally oversee a major smuggling bust in Ranong, where authorities seized over 50 million baht in contraband electrical appliances and generators at an unlicensed warehouse operat
On May 10, 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister canceled a scheduled inspection of Freedom Beach in Phuket and instead rushed to Ranong Province at 3:30 PM due to urgent business. They arrived at a warehouse belonging to 168 Transport Logistics Co., Ltd., an unlicensed facility on Route 4080 in Bang Rin Subdistrict, Ranong City, following reports of a major smuggling operation by Myanmar nationals.
Initial inspections revealed electrical appliances and large industrial generators for factories and hotels, as well as heating and cooling air conditioning units totaling over 50 million baht in value. Authorities seized the goods and coordinated with relevant agencies to identify the source of the contraband.
The Prime Minister personally inspected the warehouse, examining refrigerators, freezers, and other items. He expressed shock at the scale of the operation, noting that goods typically have a 30-day grace period when crossing borders, but these items appeared to have exceeded that deadline.
Anutin stated he would provide justice to business operators who can present tax payment evidence—legitimate tax payments would result in no issues, but those without proper documentation would face prosecution. He praised the arresting officers for their courage and warned would-be smugglers that no one of higher authority could intervene in this case. He assured officials they would pursue all available legal remedies and confiscate goods as state property if tax payment cannot be proven.
