426kg of Crystal Meth Seized in Bangkok Raid
In a major drug bust in Bangkok, Thai police arrested two men in connection with trafficking a massive quantity of crystal methamphetamine—approximately 426 kilogrammes. The arrest took place early in the morning of July 24 as part of Thailand’s intensified crackdown on drug-related crimes under the government’s “NO Drugs NO Dealers” policy.
The operation was led by Police Colonel Sittisak Nakamat, whose team had been monitoring suspicious activity surrounding a residence in Soi Nuanchan. Authorities had reason to believe the property was being used as a temporary storage site for illegal narcotics.
After a period of surveillance, officers observed a Honda CR-V, bearing licence plate 4กภ 1608 Bangkok, arriving at the residence. Upon conducting a search of the vehicle, officers discovered 14 large sacks in the rear seat. These were later confirmed to contain approximately 434 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, a quantity described by police as highly damaging to both public safety and national security.
The two suspects taken into custody were identified as 39-year-old Sunthorn and 31-year-old Rattikorn. According to police reports, both men have criminal histories related to narcotics.
Sunthorn, who works as a motorcycle mechanic, had previously been convicted on drug charges and was released from prison in late 2024. He admitted to accepting drug transportation jobs to supplement his income, which he claimed was insufficient to support himself through legitimate work. He stated that he was instructed to collect the methamphetamine from a central province and deliver it to a warehouse in Bangkok.
Rattikorn, the second suspect, previously worked for a transport company. He was convicted in 2018 for selling methamphetamine and had been released from prison in 2019. According to his confession, he was offered 50,000 baht (approximately US$1,540) to participate in this latest smuggling attempt.
The two men were formally charged with possession of a category 1 narcotic with intent to distribute—an offense considered extremely serious under Thai law due to its potential harm to society and national security.
Both suspects have been handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings. The massive haul of crystal meth is expected to lead to a broader investigation, as authorities work to trace the drugs’ origin and identify other individuals involved in the trafficking network.
This bust underscores the Thai government’s ongoing commitment to eradicating the narcotics trade. The “NO Drugs NO Dealers” campaign, launched earlier this year, has aimed to aggressively pursue traffickers and dismantle drug distribution networks at every level. Police officials have stated that the campaign will continue to intensify, with increased surveillance, undercover operations, and cooperation between regional law enforcement agencies.
Colonel Sittisak praised the officers involved in the operation and emphasized the importance of public cooperation in reporting suspicious activity. He also warned that those involved in drug trafficking would face severe consequences under the law.
This case highlights both the scale of drug trafficking operations in Thailand and the continuing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating the illicit trade. Authorities are urging anyone with information on drug-related activities to report it to the police immediately.
