Chong Chom Customs joined forces with Korat Post to launch the 11-day, 10-night operation named 'Rapid Cancer Interception,' targeting illegal cigarettes with a large seizure of over 5,000 sticks valued at around 5 million baht.
On 3 July 2026, Mr. Prasit Deejongjaroen, chief of Chong Chom Customs checkpoint, stated that the government emphasizes the crackdown on all types of contraband to ensure full tax collection, promote fairness among legitimate businesses, and protect the public from products that harm health in the future.
Mr. Panthong Loykullanun, Director-General of the Customs Department, along with Ms. Suntaree Tawichaprasit, Deputy Director-General, and Ms. Lalita Atthapimol, Director of Customs Region 2, instructed Chong Chom Customs—which oversees the three populous Lower Northeastern provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, and Surin—to define clear and intensified targets for contraband goods.
Following these directives, Chong Chom Customs studied and monitored suspicious behaviors and routes of high-risk goods. Once confident in the evidence, they collaborated with Mr. Somkiat Kamphila, head of Nakhon Ratchasima Postal Center, and Mr. Navin Promchim, assistant head of the center, to launch the 'Rapid Cancer Interception' operation. Over 11 days and 10 nights, with more than 50 officers, they intercepted and seized illegal cigarettes destined for distribution across the Lower Northeast, totaling over 5,000 sticks or 1,000,000 individual cigarettes, with an estimated economic damage of about 5 million baht.
Mr. Prasit added, “What is alarming from today's seizures is the perpetrators' diverse methods to smuggle illegal cigarettes continuously, even when border checkpoints are closed. This not only causes losses in various taxes—import duties, excise tax, VAT, local taxes, and more—but also severely impacts public health. The seized cigarettes are likely counterfeit or substandard, with issues such as high moisture and mold contamination.”
Regarding concerns about whether crackdowns would weaken after the Customs Department canceled informant rewards, Mr. Prasit said that illegal cigarette seizures do not currently involve such rewards under customs law. Nevertheless, the department remains committed to working diligently to build public trust. He assured the people of the Lower Northeast that efforts to combat all types of contraband will continue robustly, aiming to significantly reduce the circulation of illegal goods. This is to safeguard the quality of life for the public, in line with government and Customs Department policies.