"Cyber police" raided a production factory of "kratom drink" a major operation in Chonburi province that had been operating secretly for over a month.
On 13 March 2026, Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol Prembutr, Commander of the Cyber Crime Division, accompanied by Pol. Lt. Gen. Naradet Thiprak, Commander attached to the Royal Thai Police Office, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Sarayut Chunnanawat, Commander of the Cyber Crime Division 2, ordered Pol. Col. Monchai Boonlert, Chief of Division 2, Cyber Crime Division 2, Pol. Lt. Col. Ekapon Kanunyapong, Deputy Chief of Division 2, and other officers to coordinate with Chonburi public health officials, cyber police, and Chonburi police to execute a search warrant No. K.20/2569 dated 12 March 2026. They launched an operation to raid a major kratom drink production factory in Chonburi.
The team searched an unnumbered warehouse in Village No. 5, Samnak Bok Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chonburi, arresting Mr. Ratthapon Hiewkhuntod, 31, from Chonburi; Mr. Atirot Sathaworn, 33, from Chonburi; Mr. Peerawat Thuraphon, 28, from Chachoengsao; and 20 male and female Myanmar workers. They seized evidence including 415 kilograms of fresh kratom leaves; 724 bottles of various brands of liquid cough syrup (a controlled substance); 456 bottles of liquid antihistamines (also controlled substances); 250 tramadol hydrochloride tablets; 24 kilograms of preservatives; 23 kilograms of flavoring agents; 5,660 one-liter bottles of assorted-flavor ready-to-drink kratom beverages; 23,856 empty bottles for filling; 31 large pots for boiling kratom; 33 gas stoves; product labels marked S1 SUPER ONE; and various other production equipment.
The investigation began after Cyber Crime Division 2 received an online complaint from local residents reporting that a factory was secretly producing kratom drinks mixed with cough syrup in Mueang Chonburi District. The products were being systematically distributed via delivery vehicles to shops across the area, an illegal act that potentially endangers children and youth and may cause serious health risks or death if consumed in large quantities.
The police then conducted field investigations and found the target factory located in a community area. The building was a warehouse surrounded by high fences, completely blocking outside views. A large sign at the entrance falsely indicated a recycling business to mislead authorities. After obtaining a search warrant, police coordinated with local administration and related agencies to conduct the raid, discovering male and female workers actively and systematically producing kratom drink inside before arresting the offenders and seizing all evidence.
During interrogation, Mr. Atirot stated that he and two other Thai associates were responsible for overseeing kratom drink production and distributing the finished products to various shops in Chonburi. The factory produced about 4,000 bottles daily, sold at 35 baht each. Shops then resold them at 60 baht per bottle. Atirot and his associates received monthly payments of 18,000 baht.
The Myanmar workers handled production processes around the clock. The factory had been operating secretly for over a month under the direction of a business owner known only as 'Jao', whose real name is unknown. Police charged the suspects with "jointly selling modern medicines without authorization under the 1967 Drug Act, jointly violating the Ministry of Public Health's announcement prohibiting certain food production, import, or sale, and jointly violating labeling regulations under the 1979 Food Act."
Additionally, all Myanmar workers were found to be employed illegally, leading to further charges for "being foreign nationals working without work permits or beyond permitted scope, and residing in the kingdom with expired or revoked authorization." They were detained along with the seized items for legal proceedings.