Phithak Khiri Khan Operation Seizes 2.2 Million Baht in Smuggled Goods

Khaosod•Society•5d ago

Reader Briefing

Authorities launched the Phithak Khiri Khan Operation to intercept smuggled goods and illegal cigarettes entering inner areas from Southern Thailand.

•On October 16, 2026, authorities seized illegal goods valued at 2,221,896 Baht at the Huay Yang checkpoint in Thap Sakae District.
•Between September 1 and October 16, 2026, the Phithak Khiri Khan Operation resulted in 19 cases and total seizures worth 39,937,507.60 Baht.
•The smuggling networks have shifted to a "Express Delivery War" tactic, using private courier services and fake identities to distribute goods.
•The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is expanding legal action against the illegal cigarette networks.

•Authorities established a checkpoint on Phetkasem Road at Huay Yang checkpoint in Thap Sakae District on October 16, 2026, to search target transport vehicles.
•The October 16, 2026 seizure included 9,650 packs of foreign cigarettes, 63 e-cigarettes, dates, foreign tea, tortilla flour, crackers, cereal, and foreign liquor, totaling 2,221,896 Baht in value and taxes.
•From September 1 to October 16, 2026, the Phithak Khiri Khan Operation seized foreign cigarettes worth 39,438,713 Baht, e-cigarettes and pods worth 260,357.40 Baht, and other illegal items.
•Thitiphong Khamphui stated that smugglers now use "Express Delivery War" tactics, distributing goods via private couriers using fake names or mule accounts.
•Smuggled cigarettes and liquor cause the state to lose tens of billions of Baht annually in customs, excise, VAT, and interior taxes.
•Illegal e-cigarettes and cigarettes pose health risks due to heavy metal and carcinogen contamination and are easily accessible to children via express delivery.
•The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is issuing summons to transport companies and senders involved in illegal cigarette networks.
•Security agencies in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province will continue integrating efforts to monitor land, rail, and logistics routes.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Phetkasem Road(ถนนเพชรเกษม)ℹ️

The location where authorities set up a checkpoint to intercept illegal goods.

Huay Yang Checkpoint(ด่านตรวจห้วยยาง)

The specific checkpoint in Thap Sakae District where smugglers were intercepted.

Thap Sakae District(อ.ทับสะแก)ℹ️

The district where the Huay Yang checkpoint is located.

Prachuap Khiri Khan Province(จังหวัดประจวบคีรีขันธ์)ℹ️

The province where security agencies are collaborating to intercept illegal goods.

Customs Act 2017(พระราชบัญญัติศุลกากร พ.ศ. 2560)

The law under which the smuggling of the seized goods is an offense.

Excise Tax Act 2017(พระราชบัญญัติภาษีสรรพสามิต พ.ศ. 2560)

The law under which the smuggling of the seized goods is an offense.

Thitiphong Khamphui(นายฐิติพงศ์ คำผุย)

The Head of Prachuap Khiri Khan Customs who revealed the tactics of smuggling networks.

Prachuap Khiri Khan Customs(ด่านศุลกากรประจวบคีรีขันธ์)

The customs office headed by Thitiphong Khamphui.

Tobacco Authority of Thailand(การยาสูบแห่งประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The organization that suffers heavy damage from tax-evaded cigarette imports.

Department of Special Investigation (DSI)(กรมสอบสวนคดีพิเศษ (ดีเอสไอ))

The agency expanding legal proceedings against illegal cigarette networks.