Anutin flew urgently to Ranong to raid a tax-evading warehouse valued at over 50 million baht. He revealed receiving mysterious phone calls urging the cessation of the arrests, claiming connections with senior police officers. The Prime Minister declared there is no higher authority than himself and praised the arresting team for their bravery and composure.
At 14:30 on 10 May 2026, reporters from Ranong Province reported that after visiting Phuket Province, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, along with Mr. Worasit Liangprasit, Deputy Minister of Interior, visited an unnumbered warehouse located on Road 4080, Bang Rin Subdistrict, Mueang Ranong District, Ranong Province. This followed a tip-off from officers of the Task Force for New Threats and Security Problems and Suppression of Interference in 14 Southern Provinces, who received information from local residents about the illegal storage of tax-evaded goods owned by foreigners, specifically Myanmar nationals. They coordinated with military personnel (Interference Task Unit, R.25 Battalion 2) and investigative officers from Mueang Ranong Police Station to seize goods at the warehouse of 168 Transport Logistics Company Limited.
Initially, it was suspected that the goods were smuggled imports that bypassed customs procedures. Preliminary inspections found electrical appliances and large power-generating machinery (used in factories and hotels), as well as hot and cold air conditioning units, with a total value exceeding 50 million baht. The authorities proceeded to jointly seize the goods. They coordinated with related agencies to sort the items and further investigate the origin of the goods.
Mr. Anutin said he received reports of a major seizure of illegal goods in Ranong, prompting his inspection. The government’s policy focuses on cracking down on all forms of illegal activity. Upon seeing the warehouse, he was shocked because it stored goods believed to have evaded taxes. It appeared these goods were declared as transiting through the border for no more than 30 days, but if exceeding 30 days, the goods become state property. As far as he knew, these goods had been held beyond 30 days.
However, fairness will be given to operators who can present tax payment evidence. If taxes have been paid properly, there will be no problem. If not, legal action will proceed, and investigations will trace the network involved. The warehouse contained all kinds of goods, from general items to over 2,000 air conditioners, water pumps, and freezers.
According to interrogations of the arrest team, after the seizure, mysterious phone calls demanded the arrests be stopped and for them to leave the site, claiming connections with senior police officers, including calls from Myanmar. The Prime Minister praised the arrest team for their courage and steadiness, saying, “Now that we are here, no higher authority can intervene. There is no need to worry.” We will fully proceed with legal actions, and the crackdown will continue. At minimum, if the goods cannot be seized, they will become state property. The confiscated goods today are common items and pose no threat to security. If tax payment cannot be verified, the goods will be seized as state property. Anyone continuing to smuggle goods will not escape; we thank you in advance.
