PATTAYA — A dramatic double raid by Thai authorities this week has cracked open the underbelly of Pattaya’s drug trade, exposing a web of meth-fueled activity, brazen dealers, and stunned users caught in the act.
In two separate operations led by local police and administrative officials, law enforcement seized crystal meth, arrested multiple suspects, and disrupted what they describe as a growing threat to community safety.
Meth Mayhem in Huay Yai Jeen
The first raid unfolded at 5pm on June 16 in a quiet Soi in Huay Yai Jeen, where a squad headed by District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon stormed a two-storey home suspected of being a makeshift drug den. Officials found a chaotic scene — glass pipes, bongs, lighters, and a bag of meth still sitting on a table.
Some users managed to flee as officers entered, but 41-year-old homeowner Piyapong Sudphun and his 23-year-old girlfriend were arrested on the spot. In a panicked attempt to destroy evidence, the couple allegedly ripped open a bag of meth and dumped it mid-raid as officers were briefly distracted.
Adding a bizarre twist, a motorcyclist arrived mid-bust, apparently hoping to purchase drugs. Instead, he was promptly taken into custody.
A total of five individuals were arrested during the raid. Authorities say this sting is part of a larger campaign aimed at disrupting local drug networks and restoring safety to Pattaya neighborhoods.
Officials are now encouraging residents to report suspicious activity through the Damrongdhama Centre or the 24/7 hotline 1567, emphasizing the role of locals as the “eyes and ears” of the city.
Dealers Caught Red-Handed in Condo Sting
The second operation, conducted on June 10, targeted higher-level suppliers. Undercover officers from Chon Buri Provincial and Pattaya City police arrested 31-year-old Burin “Oat” Pholwiwat and 36-year-old Chatchawan “Boy” Wongthong outside a condominium on South Pattaya Road. The pair were caught red-handed with a parcel full of illegal drugs.
Acting on a tip-off, the bust was coordinated under the leadership of Police Major General Thawatchai Jindakuansanong and Pol. Col. Chatree Suksiri. The suspects are believed to have been major suppliers of class-A drugs to Pattaya’s nightlife scene, targeting young partygoers and tourists.
Following the arrests, police executed two follow-up raids at residences linked to the suspects in Samut Prakan, including a flat in Ban Eua Arthorn Mueang Mai Bang Phli and a rented room in Theparak Soi 7, Bang Sao Thong. Investigations are ongoing.
Pressure Mounts on Pattaya’s Drug Scene
Authorities are now ramping up efforts to root out narcotics operations in Pattaya, pledging a zero-tolerance approach to drug activity in the area.
“These operations are part of our ongoing mission to clean up communities,” one official said. “We will continue to pursue those who poison our society with drugs.”
With arrests made, evidence seized, and investigations underway, police are sending a clear message: Pattaya’s days as a haven for drug-fueled crime are numbered.
