Chong Chom Customs launched the "End of Luxury Food" operation, raiding a longstanding major imported food wholesale warehouse in central Korat. They were shocked to find illegal goods mixed with expired items and some lacking FDA approval, all being packed for customers nationwide.
Mr. Prasit Deejongjaroen, Chief of Chong Chom Customs, revealed that following the government’s emphasis on protecting citizens from various illegal products—especially food and beverages harmful to health and causing medical burdens—Customs Department Director-General Phanthong Loykulnan, Deputy Director-General Suntareeya Tawichaprasit, and Director of Customs Region 2 Lalita Atthapimon have instructed Chong Chom Customs, which oversees the three lower northeastern provinces of Korat, Surin, and Buriram with large populations of all ages, to strictly enforce government policies. The aim is to protect society from undesirable products and ensure fairness for honest entrepreneurs as much as possible.
Mr. Prasit added that in response to these directives, Chong Chom Customs has intensified surveillance of illegal goods across almost all dimensions. This led to suspicious information gathering, allowing them to compile evidence and file a request for a search warrant from Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court to launch the "End of Luxury Food" operation. They conducted a search and seized over 15,000 items from the imported food wholesale warehouse, valued at approximately 3.5 million baht.
Mr. Prasit further explained his great concern that the warehouse, essentially a supermarket specializing in expensive imported foods from abroad, has operated for no less than 10 years. It targets affluent customers and operates comprehensively—wholesale, retail, online sales, and fresh ready-to-eat foods. During the raid, they found items being packed for customers nationwide. Many products—including canned foods, sauces, seasonings, snacks, and alcoholic beverages—were smuggled in without customs clearance, lacked FDA safety certification, and some were expired. Although the store owner cooperated and claimed to have received the goods from another source, they did not anticipate the requirement for government certification marks. The extent of harm caused remains unknown.
"We will intensify measures to protect society from illegal goods, including various unapproved food and consumer products, in line with government and Customs Department policies to protect the people of lower northeastern Thailand. We warn operators to be more mindful in their business practices. Sellers cannot claim ignorance of the law, and if they realize they are violating it, they should immediately correct their actions rather than prioritize excessive profits over social responsibility. We are continuously monitoring and intensifying arrests even though the Customs Department has canceled reward payments for informants," Mr. Prasit concluded.