Kanchanaburi City Police Station arrested an entire gang after an employer driving a pickup truck with workers to cut trees was stopped at a checkpoint showing suspicious behavior. He confessed to paying wages with methamphetamine, which he bought at 25 baht per pill.
At 10:30 a.m. on 10 Sep 2026, under the command of Police Major General Pasavee Rueangphu, Commander of Kanchanaburi Provincial Police, and Deputy Commander Police Colonel Santad Loyangkool, with Police Colonel Chairat Buakhom, Superintendent of Kanchanaburi City Police Station, led by Deputy Superintendent of Traffic Police Lieutenant Colonel Chokchai Thaicharoen, along with Traffic Inspector Police Lieutenant Mathee Buason and Deputy Inspector Police Lieutenant Thotsaphon Meesapmak and 12 traffic officers, set up a W.43 checkpoint to prevent firearm crimes, arrest individuals with warrants, curb illegal migrant labor transport, and enforce traffic discipline on Saeng Chuto Road at Villa Intersection, Tha Makham Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province.
While on duty, Jakkrit Chopayom, or Tum, 43, from Kaeng Siang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province, was driving a Mazda pickup truck, license plate BN 1706 Kanchanaburi, carrying six workers to cut trees in Nong Ya Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi. Passing the checkpoint, their suspicious behavior led officers to stop and inform them of a search.
The search of the six workers found methamphetamine on four of them.
All admitted the methamphetamine belonged to themselves and had been supplied by employer Jakkrit to use while working. Urine tests confirmed drug use. The methamphetamine cost was deducted from each worker’s wages. Police then searched Jakkrit, finding 24 meth pills in his wallet.
Upon questioning, Jakkrit admitted the methamphetamine was his. He bought 40 pills for 1,000 baht (25 baht each) from a man named Ek, whose full name is unknown, approximately in his 30s, from Nong Song Ton Village No. 4, Kaeng Siang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi. Jakkrit distributed the pills as wages to workers and deducted the cost from their daily pay. He himself does not use methamphetamine; his urine test was negative.
Police charged employer Jakkrit Chopayom with possession and distribution of Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine) without permission, with 24 pills seized. Four workers were charged with possession and use: 1. Thanaphat Chopayom with 5 pills, 2. Chattrin Jaiuey with 3 pills, 3. Worawut Suwansing with 3 pills, 4. Thanya Yodkaew with 6 pills; totaling 41 pills.
During the arrest of the first group, Narit Tanrakan, or Pluem, riding a motorcycle license plate Th 7351 Kanchanaburi, approached the checkpoint acting suspiciously. A search found one meth pill. He admitted buying it from Tum, a man about 20 years old from Taopoon community, Ban Nuea Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi, at 80 baht per pill for personal use. He was charged with possession and use of methamphetamine while driving. All suspects were taken to Kanchanaburi City Police Station for legal proceedings.