At Laem Chabang Customs, authorities joined forces with police, the Narcotics Control Board, the Department of Provincial Administration, and public health officials to open suspicious export containers. They found cannabis buds and kratom powder and are tracing the offenders.
On 15 July 2026 at Laem Chabang Port area, Thung Sukhla Subdistrict, Si Racha District, Chonburi Province, Mr. Phanu Limwongyuti, Director of Laem Chabang Customs Office, Ms. Kwanruen Srichan, Chonburi Provincial Secretary, along with representatives from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Si Racha Public Health Office, and Laem Chabang Police Station jointly conducted inspections of two suspicious export containers.
This followed receipt of intelligence and risk analysis indicating possible false declarations to disguise the export of cannabis buds, a controlled substance requiring legal permits. They also inspected one suspicious imported container containing kratom powder, another controlled substance requiring legal permission.
The first container declared as rubber gloves destined for Turkey contained 15 pallets weighing approximately 18,000 kilograms. Inside, authorities found 3 pallets of cannabis buds weighing 350 kilograms net, comprising 175 packages, valued at 3.5 million baht.
The second container declared as pillowcases and polyester fibers, destined for the Netherlands, held 157 packages weighing 9,002.5 kilograms. Inside, cannabis buds weighing 1,160 kilograms net were found in 1,160 packages, valued at 11.6 million baht.
The last container inspected was declared as kratom powder (Mitragyna speciosa) originating from Indonesia, containing 1,120 packages weighing about 27,000 kilograms. Authorities found it was imported without a license, valued at 2.7 million baht.
Mr. Phanu Limwongyuti stated that following the inspection and seizure of cannabis buds and kratom powder, Laem Chabang Customs is coordinating with police to track and identify all involved in the criminal network for arrests. The seized items are stored at a secured facility within Laem Chabang Port. Experts will examine the quality; if usable, the products will be transferred to Thai traditional medicine doctors for medical treatment. If found moldy or damaged, they will be destroyed according to legal procedures.
