Pattaya, Chonburi – On February 2nd, 2026, officers from Region 2 Police and Pattaya City Police arrested a 34-year-old Chinese man for allegedly selling “zombie pods” – illicit e-cigarette vape pods laced with the powerful anesthetic etomidate– to tourists and partygoers in the area.
The operation was led by high-ranking officials including Pol. Maj. Gen. Thitwat Suriyachai, Deputy Commander of Police Region 2; Pol. Maj. Gen. Kiattisak Sathongoi, Commander of the Provincial Police Region 2 Crime Suppression Division; Pol. Maj. Gen. Phongphan Wongmanithet, Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police; and other senior officers from the Crime Suppression and Pattaya City stations.
Acting on intelligence from informants about a Chinese tourist distributing etomidate-laced vape pods (known locally as “zombie pods” or “pot zombie”) to party attendees in Pattaya, police set up an undercover buy operation. Officers contacted the suspect, who agreed to sell the pods at 1,200 baht each.
The arrest took place in front of a condominium in Soi Thapphraya 15. After the undercover buyer received 10 pods and paid 12,000 baht in marked money, officers moved in and apprehended the suspect.
The arrested man was identified as Mr. Yu Kun, born November 19, 1992, of Chinese nationality.
A later search of his condominium room uncovered additional contraband: 40 more laced pods, empty pods prepared for filling with drugs, 400 sealing kits, and three zip-lock bags containing white powdered etomidate.
Etomidate is a medical anesthetic that depresses the central nervous system. When mixed into vape pods, it produces intense sedative effects, leading to its nickname “zombie pods” due to users appearing dazed, unresponsive, or “zombie-like.” Authorities warn that uncontrolled inhalation can cause severe respiratory depression, low blood pressure, confusion, unconsciousness, and life-threatening complications.
The suspect, along with all seized evidence including the pods, powder, and cash, has been handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings under Thailand’s narcotics laws.
