Authorities conducted a joint operation to inspect a container in Sangkhlaburi and found it filled with "fresh beer." It is suspected to be destined for entertainment venues on the Myanmar side. Officials plan to summon the shipping agent to provide evidence.
A reporter stated that on 11 Mar 2024 GMT+7, Major General Natthaphong Asawinwong, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division and commander of the Surasi Task Force, coordinated with Waritta Sanguansermsri, Governor of Kanchanaburi Province, and Police Major General Pasavee Rueangpu, Chief of the Kanchanaburi Provincial Police, after receiving a report about a container van loaded with barrels resembling oil drums inside Soi Bo Palmangkorn, Village No. 9, Ban Phra Chedi Sam Ong, Nong Lu Subdistrict, Sangkhlaburi District, Kanchanaburi Province. He ordered Colonel Pansak Priawpanich, Commander of the Lat Ya Task Force of Surasi Task Force, along with Colonel Piyanet Phatrasasawong, Deputy Commander of Lat Ya Task Force, to coordinate with Police Colonel Santat Layangkur, Deputy Chief of Kanchanaburi Provincial Police, Police Colonel Santi Pitaksakul, Superintendent of Sangkhlaburi Police Station, and related officials to inspect the area.
At the scene, they found Mr. Phurin, 58, from Nakhon Sawan Province, who identified himself as the container caretaker and consented to officials cutting the padlock to open the container for inspection. Mr. Phurin led the search, accompanied by Mr. Sataporn Boonsomjit, Village Headman of Village No. 9, Ban Phra Chedi Sam Ong, who acted as a witness during the inspection.
The inspection revealed that the oil drums were empty, but there were also barrels containing alcoholic beverages. Mr. Phurin could not produce import-export documents processed through customs. Officials suspected the items were being imported or exported without customs clearance and that the alcoholic beverages were untaxed under excise law. Consequently, the authorities seized the goods for further examination.
The seized items found inside the container were ordered by Ms. Sudanan, 42, from Kanchanaburi Province, representing a shipping agent. The shipment included six categories: 1. 70 plastic barrels, each 20 liters (empty); 2. 10 barrels of Firestone Walker beer, 20 liters each; 3. 4 barrels of Liefmans beer, 20 liters each; 4. 3 barrels of Duvel666 beer, 20 liters each; 5. 2 barrels of Chouffe beer, 20 liters each; and 6. 21 barrels of Vedett beer, 20 liters each. In total, there were 40 barrels of beer amounting to 800 liters.
Initially, Mr. Phurin contacted Ms. Sudanan, the shipping agent representative, to bring purchase documents to present to officials at the Kanchanaburi Excise Office, Sangkhlaburi Branch, and to investigators at Sangkhlaburi Police Station for further action.
It is anticipated that the beer is being sent to a comprehensive entertainment venue operated by the ethnic Chinese group in Myanmar. Further updates will be reported as developments occur.
