Banglamung, Thailand – On September 2nd, 2025, at 4:36 PM, local authorities, led by District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon, conducted a raid on a cannabis shop named “Suan Nai Moss” located along Chaiyaphruek 2 Road in the Huay Yai Subdistrict of Banglamung. The operation, directed by Deputy District Chief Natthawat Sophonsewatsilp and District Public Health Officer Kittiphong Boonratnet, resulted in the seizure of a large haul of illegal goods.
The raid uncovered 52 bottles of cough syrup and antihistamines, 18 strips of tramadol (a controlled painkiller), 105 packs of untaxed cigarettes, 32 fruit-flavored and pod-based electronic cigarettes, and 20.245 kilograms of dried cannabis and cannabis buds. Authorities also confiscated evidence from the premises, including vehicles parked at the rear of the shop—two sedans, two pickup trucks, and several motorcycles—where additional cannabis and e-cigarettes were found hidden.
The operation was brought by complaints by concerned citizens lodged with the Banglamung District’s Damrongdhama Center, reporting the shop’s illegal sale of cough syrup (often mixed with boiled kratom), antihistamines, and tramadol, all classified as dangerous drugs under Thai law and sold without authorization. Acting on the tip, officials conducted an undercover sting operation, revealing that the shop openly displayed its illicit products, including cannabis, cough syrup, tramadol (green and yellow pills), untaxed cigarettes, and fruit-flavored e-cigarettes, with no apparent regard for legal consequences.
During the raid, authorities found a group of youths casually smoking cannabis inside a tent at the premises, seemingly unfazed by the ongoing operation. A search of the individuals revealed no additional illegal items, and they were ordered to cease their activities.
The shop’s operator, identified only as Mr. Ek (pseudonym), aged 29, was detained. He faces charges related to the unauthorized sale of dangerous drugs, untaxed cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and cannabis. All seized items were cataloged as evidence, and Mr. Ek was handed over to Huay Yai Police Station for further legal proceedings.
According to reports, the shop previously operated solely as a vendor of boiled kratom drinks, known locally as “4×100,” and had been raided multiple times in the past. Despite prior arrests, the operator continued to flout the law, Ques, expanding into the sale of illegal cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and controlled drugs, leading to this latest crackdown. Cannabis is decriminalized in Thailand but requires a proper license and documentation for sale, which the shop did not have.
Further details on the case are pending as authorities continue their investigation.
