Bangkok — An Austrian national was rushed to hospital after suspected drug packages burst inside his intestines at Don Mueang Airport early Wednesday morning.
The man, identified as Wolfgang Gantner, 43, began suffering convulsions and severe abdominal pain shortly after landing in Bangkok. He was taken to Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, where emergency scans revealed several foreign objects lodged in his intestines—one of which had already ruptured.
Doctors discovered pink fluid discharging from the patient’s rectum and a CT scan confirmed the presence of multiple round objects inside his digestive tract. One package had already passed, prompting urgent surgery.
Authorities were notified and later confirmed the presence of 255 methamphetamine tablets, classified as a Category 1 narcotic under Thai law. Police believe the man had attempted to smuggle the drugs into the country using the risky method of internal concealment, commonly known as “muling.”
The suspect was unconscious and undergoing surgery when police seized the narcotics as evidence. He remains in medical custody under police supervision.
The Metropolitan Police Bureau and Hua Mak Police Station are coordinating the investigation and will proceed with legal action once the man regains consciousness.
This incident underscores the continued use of body-packing as a drug trafficking method, which poses significant health risks, including death, if drug packets rupture inside the body.
