Seven Durian Farm Workers Arrested with Methamphetamine, Confess to Using Drugs for All-Night Harvesting Energy
Seven durian farm workers were arrested in Chanthaburi province with methamphetamine pills; they confessed to using the drug to stay awake during nighttime harvesting season.
On May 12, 2026, Lieutenant Colonel Chatchai Sripothon, District Chief of Tha Mai, ordered security officials to raid a durian plantation in Khao Wua Subdistrict, Tha Mai District, Chanthaburi province following complaints that the farm was being used as a drug distribution hub. Officers conducted a thorough search and found red methamphetamine pills hidden on the workers' persons, along with lighters and packaging materials used to conceal the drugs.
Authorities arrested seven male workers at the scene and immediately conducted urine tests to confirm drug use. During initial questioning, the workers admitted to using methamphetamine to cause stimulation—commonly referred to locally as "deet"—to maintain the stamina needed for continuous durian harvesting throughout the night during the high-yield season. All suspects were taken to Tha Mai District Office for record-taking and further investigation before being handed over to Tha Mai Police Station for legal proceedings.
