Pattaya, Thailand – The ongoing debate over Thailand’s cannabis liberalization has resurfaced following a police raid on a residence in Nong Prue, Banglamung District, where a foreign national was found operating an unlicensed cannabis processing and distribution setup.
On March 5th, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m., a joint task force led by Immigration Police from Chonburi Province’s Pattaya checkpoint conducted an inspection targeting illegal foreign labor and related offenses in the area.
The operation was supervised by Pol. Col. Decho Sosuwannakul, Deputy Commander of Immigration Police Region 3, and led on the ground by Pol. Col. Naphatphong Khosit Suriyamanee, Superintendent of Chonburi Immigration Police, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Kawinwat Arayasuriwong, Deputy Superintendent, and Pol. Lt. Col. Kittiphat Hongchuwej, an Immigration Inspector.
The team worked with officials from the Banglamung District Public Health Office, Banglamung District Administration, and Pattaya City Police Station.
Officers searched a house in the Nong Prue sub-district and identified Mr. Ivan Lisovoi, a 27-year-old Russian national, as the person in charge of the premises.
During the raid, authorities discovered 48 bags of dried cannabis packaged and ready for sale, along with extensive processing equipment, including:
– 1 drying oven
– 1 refrigerator
– 3 crates of pre-packaged “YUMMY FROST” brand bags
– 13 additional items used for cannabis processing
Preliminary charges were filed against the suspect for:
– Processing or distributing controlled herbal medicines without a permit, in violation of the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medical Wisdom Act, B.E. 2542 (1999)
– Working in Thailand as a foreigner without a valid work permit, under the Emergency Decree on the Management of Foreign Workers, B.E. 2560 (2017)
Following the arrest, the suspect and seized items were taken to Pattaya City Police Station for further legal proceedings.
This raid marks another successful enforcement effort by Chonburi Immigration Police and partner agencies in cracking down on illegal activities by foreigners in Pattaya’s tourism hub.
The incident has sparked renewed online discussion among netizens, with many questioning whether Thailand’s cannabis policy has become “too liberal,” potentially creating opportunities for foreigners to engage in unauthorized commercial operations. That being said, it’s also worth noting that the suspect’s operation was entirely illegal and had no licenses or permits or permission from authorities to operate.
