Deputy Inspector Jo and Inspector Jae assembled a large investigative team to rescue a 7-year-old boy from his drug-dealing mother who was blowing toxic smoke to show customers inside a drug-use cafe in the Tao Poon area, arresting six suspects.
Today (24 Jul 2026) at approximately 06:30, Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, together with Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej Thammasuthi, Deputy Commissioner (in charge of narcotics), Pol. Maj. Gen. Kiattikul Sonthinen, Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, Pol. Col. Worapot Rungkrajang, Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau's Narcotics Suppression Division, Pol. Col. Chusak Sriwongchai, Deputy Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, Pol. Lt. Col. Eksit Worakittakorn, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation 1, Narcotics Suppression Division, Pol. Lt. Col. Manoch Thongkaew, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation, Police Division 5, and Pol. Lt. Col. Thanpeerasit Chunpipop, Superintendent of Investigation 3, Narcotics Suppression Division, along with officers from the Narcotics Suppression Command and the Gunjomphalang Foundation, raided a four-story commercial building on Pracha Uthit Road, Huai Khwang district, Bangkok, rescuing a 7-year-old boy and arresting six suspects as follows:
1. Mrs. Sureerat (surname withheld), 63 years old, resident of Bangkok.
2. Mr. Somporn (surname withheld), 45 years old, resident of Pathum Thani Province.
3. Mr. Prawit (surname withheld), 47 years old, resident of Bangkok.
4. Ms. Chayada (surname withheld), 47 years old, resident of Nakhon Phanom Province.
5. Mrs. Buppha (surname withheld), 56 years old, resident of Bangkok.
6. Mr. Jakpan (surname withheld), 50 years old, resident of Bangkok.
Confiscated evidence and seized assets included:
1. Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine or yaba) totaling 309 tablets.
2. Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine or crystal meth) totaling 252 grams.
3. Category 2 psychoactive substance (ketamine) totaling 32 grams.
4. 107 e-cigarette cartridges.
5. Five cannabis pods.
6. Drug paraphernalia.
Charges include "joint possession of category 1 narcotics (yaba and crystal meth or methamphetamine) without permission, joint possession of category 2 psychoactive substances (ketamine) without permission, jointly aiding in concealment, distribution, or pawning of items known to be connected to offenses under Sections 242 and 246(1) of the Customs Act B.E. 2560, Section 4 of the Ministry of Commerce's announcement prohibiting the import of e-cigarettes into the kingdom B.E. 2557, and illegal use of category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine)."
The suspects were arrested at a residence in Bang Sue subdistrict, Bang Sue district, Bangkok.
The case details state: "At a drug-use cafe in the Tao Poon area, known among drug users, a middle-aged woman (the first suspect) who was both a dealer and drug addict blew toxic smoke into the innocent face of her 7-year-old child to show customers who came to use drugs almost daily. The child sat smiling, folding pieces of foil beside his mother, as if the toxic smoke was heavenly mist. Witnessing this unbearable scene, a drug addict who came to purchase drugs pleaded for her to stop harming the child but was rebuked with 'Don't interfere, this is my child.' Unable to endure it any longer, the witness secretly took photos with a phone before leaving the hellhole, determined to 'rescue the child.' The case was then passed to the Gunjomphalang Foundation to coordinate and track down help for the child trapped in this hell.
Further investigation revealed that within this drug den, a young ringleader brandished a firearm while congregating with accomplices. Authorities relayed this intel to Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom, who ordered Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej Thammasuthi, Deputy Commissioner in charge of narcotics, to deploy Inspector Jae’s investigative unit and Narcotics Suppression Command officers immediately to rescue the child from this hellhole as quickly as possible.
Investigations found that the drug-use cafe was a two-story townhouse located inside Pracha Chuen alley. The ground floor was disguised as a convenience store. Access to the drug den was via a metal staircase attached to the side of the building, secured with strong locks and monitored by five CCTV cameras covering all directions to guard against authorities. The narrow alley environment made investigation extremely difficult, requiring special investigative procedures. It was confirmed that the location was a drug-use gathering point. Additionally, one male suspect with a history of firearm possession was identified, and a steady stream of drug users arrived by car to purchase drugs, establishing this place as a confirmed drug den.
On 23 Jul 2026, the Narcotics Suppression Command submitted evidence to the Criminal Court and received a search warrant shortly after. However, the complexity of this drug den, combined with the fact that the child was in the same room as the targets and there were firearm concerns, required careful planning and rehearsal of the operation.
On 24 Jul 2026 at 06:30, Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej Thammasuthi led officers from the Narcotics Suppression Command along with the Gunjomphalang Foundation, using Criminal Court search warrant No. K.118/2569 dated 23 Jul 2026, to inspect the two-story townhouse in Pracha Chuen alley, Bang Sue subdistrict, Bang Sue district, Bangkok. The search resulted in the seizure of narcotics and the safe rescue of a 7-year-old boy from the drug-use circle. After the arrests, all six suspects along with the evidence were handed over to Tao Poon Police Station for prosecution. The rescued boy was found weak, and officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, together with the Gunjomphalang Foundation, took custody for further care.
During the arrest, Ms. A (real name withheld), mother of the 7-year-old boy, stated, "I usually live in Bang Son, but today on the way to take my son to school, I stopped to visit a friend to buy yaba and crystal meth for my own use, but was caught by the authorities. I admit I buy these about once a week and always bring my child along because this is the route to his school."
Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej Thammasuthi, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau and deputy police spokesperson, said they received a tip from the Gunjomphalang Foundation reporting that the house was operating as a drug-use cafe with a small child present among customers who used drugs daily. They planned and urgently conducted the rescue operation. The first heartbreaking sight was finding the 7-year-old boy inside the house amid drug users, prompting immediate rescue. The raid uncovered multiple suspects and numerous seized items.
Deputy Inspector Jo warned the public about the dangers of drugs destroying lives, property, and those around them. A home that should be peaceful and warm had become a hellhole for a young child. He urged citizens to stay away from drugs and encouraged anyone who suspects a drug den to report it immediately so authorities can take swift action.