Govt Seizes 409M Baht of Smuggled Cigarettes, E-cigs, Laughing Gas

Thairath•Politics•19d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai government announces significant seizure of illegal tobacco products and harmful substances worth over 409 million baht following intensified crackdowns.

•The Thai government has seized over 409 million baht worth of smuggled goods, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and laughing gas, between October 2025 and May 2026.
•Key agencies like the Customs Department and police have collaborated to intercept these illegal imports, which are increasingly using sophisticated methods to bypass inspections.
•The crackdown targets not only traditional illicit tobacco but also dangerous substances like etomidate and nitrous oxide, often disguised as other products or sold through online channels.

Overview

•From October 2025 to May 2026, government agencies conducted operations to seize smuggled goods.
•The government, in collaboration with Customs and the Central Investigation Bureau, systematically intercepted networks smuggling cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nitrous oxide, and etomidate to prevent illegal activities.
•Over 40.9 million cigarettes, 548,577 e-cigarettes and accessories, 140,200 laughing gas canisters, and 28 kg of etomidate were seized, totaling over 409 million baht in value.
•The operations were conducted under the policy of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, emphasizing proactive and integrated efforts by all relevant agencies.
•Smugglers have adapted by disassembling e-cigarettes, mislabeling them as general electronics, and hiding them within consumer goods containers to evade stricter inspections.
•In April 2026, the Customs Department inspected import declarations originating from China, discovering undeclared e-cigarettes.
•Customs at Suvarnabhumi Airport apprehended a Thai passenger traveling from Tokyo with 21 e-cigarettes and 165,600 e-cigarette refills.
•The government is warning citizens about the dangers of etomidate, a chemical found in some illicit products that severely impacts the respiratory system, heart, and brain, and reiterates the illegality of e-cigarettes.

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Key Quotes

Ploytalay Laksameechan

"The government warns to be aware of the dangers and laws concerning cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and laughing gas, which contain hazardous chemicals, especially etomidate, affecting the respiratory system, heart, and brain."

รัฐบาลย้ำเตือนให้ตระหนักถึงภัยอันตรายและข้อกฎหมายที่เกี่ยวข้องกับบุหรี่ บุหรี่ไฟฟ้า และก๊าซหัวเราะ ที่มีสารเคมีอันตราย โดยเฉพาะสารเอโทมิเดตที่ส่งผลกระทบต่อระบบทางเดินหายใจ หัวใจ และสมอง

Ploytalay Laksameechan

"Furthermore, e-cigarettes are strictly prohibited from import, possession, or sale. Violators face legal penalties."

นอกจากนี้ บุหรี่ไฟฟ้ายังเป็นสินค้าที่ห้ามนำเข้า ครอบครอง หรือจำหน่ายโดยเด็ดขาด ผู้ฝ่าฝืนมีโทษตามกฎหมาย

Key Entities

Organization

Government(รัฐบาล)ℹ️

The executive body of Thailand implementing policies against illicit trade.

Customs Department(กรมศุลกากร)ℹ️

A key agency involved in intercepting smuggled goods at Thailand's borders.

Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️

The overarching ministry that includes the Customs Department.

Central Investigation Bureau(กองบัญชาการตำรวจสอบสวนกลาง)

A division of the Royal Thai Police collaborating in the crackdown on illegal smuggling.

Royal Thai Police(สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

The national police force of Thailand, participating in the enforcement operations.

Customs Office Region 4(สำนักงานศุลกากรภาคที่ 4)

A regional customs office responsible for seizures in southern Thailand.

Customs Office for Passenger Screening at Suvarnabhumi Airport(สำนักงานศุลกากรตรวจค้นผู้โดยสารท่าอากาศยานสุวรรณภูมิ)

The customs unit responsible for screening passengers and baggage at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Person

Ploytalay Laksameechan(นางสาวพลอยทะเล ลักษมีแสงจันทร์)

Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office who briefed the public on the crackdown.

Anutin Charnvirakul(นายอนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior who ordered strict enforcement against illegal activities.

Law

Laughing Gas(ก๊าซหัวเราะ)ℹ️

Refers to nitrous oxide, an illegal substance being smuggled and seized by authorities.

Etomidate(สารเอโทมิเดต)ℹ️

A hazardous chemical substance being smuggled and seized, often mixed with e-cigarette liquids.

Space Oil(น้ำมันอวกาศ)

A street name for e-cigarette liquid mixed with etomidate, considered a new dangerous drug.

Zombie Cigarette(บุหรี่ซอมบี้)

A street name for e-cigarette liquid mixed with etomidate, considered a new dangerous drug.