Region 4 Provincial Police have persistently pursued a transnational drug network for six years, resulting in the suspect's imprisonment and asset seizures totaling 30 million baht.
At 06:00 on 7 September 2026, Pol. Maj. Gen. Kittisak Jamrasprasert, Deputy Commander of Region 4 Police, Pol. Maj. Gen. Phumipat Patrasriwongchai, Commander of the Region 4 Investigation Division, Pol. Col. Channarong Makpisut, Deputy Commander of the Region 4 Investigation Division, Pol. Col. Thanomsit Wongwijarn, Deputy Commander of Khon Kaen Provincial Police, Mr. Pongsiri Chuenban, Director of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board Region 4, Pol. Col. Somkane Traiyasuth, Chief Investigator of the Region 4 Investigation Division, Pol. Col. Nat Mongphut, Chief of the Legal Affairs Division, ONCB Region 4, and Ms. Nuchanee Chantanuch, Director of the Enforcement Division, ONCB Region 4, led a raid with a search warrant from Khon Kaen Provincial Court and an ONCB order to surround and search properties linked to Mr. Preeda (Nueng), 37 years old, at a house in Ban Nong Waeng, Tha Phra Subdistrict, Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province. "Nueng Ban Phai" Asset Seizure Totalling 30 Million Baht
Pol. Maj. Gen. Kittisak Jamrasprasert, Deputy Commander of Region 4 Police, explained that the raid and asset seizure of Mr. Preeda followed a continuous investigation by Region 4 narcotics detectives. They identified Mr. Preeda, known as Nueng Ban Phai, as a major drug trafficking network operator in Khon Kaen and surrounding areas.
The investigation lasted six years. On 24 February 2026, Roi Et Provincial Police arrested Mr. Worawut, 45, and accomplices with 1,118,100 methamphetamine pills in Nong Phok District, Roi Et Province. Commanders ordered Region 4 detectives to expand the investigation to prosecute all involved and seize assets.
Gathering evidence showed that the methamphetamine seized in Roi Et was directed by Mr. Preeda, who coordinated drug transportation for distribution by his network. Authorities submitted evidence to the ONCB Secretary-General to prosecute Mr. Preeda for conspiracy to commit serious narcotics offenses involving two or more persons.
On 11 March 2026, police from Ban Haet and Tha Phra stations jointly arrested Mr. Preeda and accomplices with 60,107 methamphetamine pills, handing them to Tha Phra police for prosecution. Simultaneously, Region 4 narcotics detectives continued asset investigations believed to be linked to drug offenses and requested ONCB to freeze and seize assets under narcotics law. Both Mr. Worawut and Mr. Preeda remain imprisoned.
Mr. Pongsiri Chuenban, Director of ONCB Region 4, stated that the search and seizure targeted suspects in a transnational drug network smuggling narcotics into the northeastern region over an extended period. After arresting the suspects, authorities expanded investigations to trace and seize assets belonging to the suspects, including properties transferred to others' names to evade detection.
The raids and asset seizures occurred at three sites in Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province. Officers split into three teams with search warrants to seize assets. The first was at Mr. Preeda's residence in Ban Nong Waeng, Tha Phra Subdistrict, where authorities seized buildings, land, a black Toyota Fortuner registered in Bangkok, and a red Honda sedan registered in Khon Kaen, totaling about 2 million baht.
The second site was a house and land in a village in Mueang Kao Subdistrict, Mueang District, Khon Kaen, valued at approximately 4 million baht.
The third was at Prachasukjai Village, the residence of Mr. Preeda's father-in-law, where authorities seized one blank gun, a white BMW registered in Bangkok, and five land titles purchased by the suspect but transferred to others, valued at about 5 million baht.
Additionally, authorities seized land owned by the suspect in Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Ban Phai District, Khon Kaen, valued at about 3 million baht; land in Sai Mai District, Bangkok, valued at about 10 million baht; land in Khao Yoi District, Phetchaburi Province, worth 600,000 baht; and other assets totaling around 30 million baht.
Before seizing Mr. Preeda's assets, authorities also expanded the investigation to arrest the network managing his financial affairs, including construction of a resort in Ban Nong Waeng, Tha Phra Subdistrict, Mueang Khon Kaen, and operations in construction contracting, land filling, and pond excavation businesses, which have since ceased.
Regarding the search at Mr. Preeda's home, since he is imprisoned, only his wife and Mr. Worawut's wife lived there. The search found no illegal items, but authorities seized the house, buildings, and land valued at about 2 million baht, believing these were acquired through drug trafficking.