The governor and police chief of Chonburi led a raid on a major Chinese "dragon" factory producing pot k chemical precursors in Pattaya. The operation expanded to seize numerous precursor chemicals in warehouses. Two suspects were arrested for overseeing the chemical mixing machines.
At 12:00 hrs on 19 May 2026, Narit Niramaiwong, Governor of Chonburi Province, along with Pol. Maj. Gen. Pongpan Wongmanithes, Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police, Pol. Col. Wasurat Chaitheeraphat, Deputy Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police, Anusak Piriyaomorn, District Chief of Bang Lamung, Pol. Col. Warawut Nittayawan, Superintendent of Huay Yai Police Station, Pol. Col. Sarawut Nuchanart, Superintendent of Bang Lamung Police Station, and officers from police, security forces, and the Department of Provincial Administration, carried out a search under a Pattaya Provincial Court warrant at a pool villa in Huay Yai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi. The search followed a tip from local residents reporting two Chinese men secretly mixing chemicals inside the house.
The initial inspection found the pool villa covers about one rai (0.16 hectares), surrounded by high walls. The property contained two two-story houses. On the ground floor of the rear house, numerous chemicals were found stored in blue 20-liter plastic drums, metal barrels, transparent plastic drums, sacks, and black cardboard boxes—over 80 items in total. A strong chemical odor filled the area, causing nasal irritation.
The second floor had been converted into a laboratory, equipped with large glass jars, glass tubes, and three chemical production machines lined up side by side. All three machines were running, producing a chemical called "Etomidate" or "Zombie Drug," a key ingredient used to make pot k or methamphetamine-laced e-cigarettes, which are increasingly popular among nightlife tourists.
Authorities detained two Chinese workers controlling the chemical production machines, later identified as Jia Jing Zhuang, 47, and Teng Ji, 24. They were taken into custody and prepared to be charged with illegal work in Thailand. Upon interrogation, they admitted their role was only to guard the premises and oversee the chemical mixing machines.
Police extended their investigation to a warehouse located in a village in Bang Lamung Subdistrict, Chonburi. Surveillance revealed frequent movements between the pool villa and the warehouse, approximately 20 kilometers apart, both used by the Chinese group.
Governor Narit Niramaiwong and Pol. Maj. Gen. Pongpan Wongmanithes led a search at the warehouse, where they found various chemical drums, including 20-liter and 200-liter containers, glass tubes used for mixing chemicals, and scales—all in pristine condition and prepared for chemical production. The items were seized as evidence.
Governor Narit Niramaiwong revealed that the investigation and seizure stemmed from a prior raid about two months earlier on a house in Nong Pla Lai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District. That house was rented for mixing chemicals suspected to affect the nervous system. A large quantity of evidence was seized then, which led to further investigations uncovering similar activities and chemicals at this location. The specific chemical types are currently being analyzed.
He urged local village heads and residents to assist in monitoring and reporting Chinese groups who rent houses to commit various crimes, especially illegal chemical mixing related to drug manufacture, which has become widespread in Chonburi. Plans are underway to coordinate with local agencies to implement proactive measures to investigate and eradicate these Chinese criminal groups.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Pongpan Wongmanithes, Chonburi Provincial Police Commander, stated that this arrest followed complaints from residents about Chinese groups secretly mixing chemicals previously reported in the news. The Huay Yai police investigation unit conducted surveillance, confirming illegal activity, and obtained a Pattaya Provincial Court search warrant leading to the arrest. Further seizures and cooperation with Regional Investigation Division 2, the Narcotics Suppression Police, and Immigration Police are ongoing to trace the source of chemicals and the masterminds for prosecution.
