Raid & seek: Bangkok cops bust contraband in Chinese minimarts

Police in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district recently conducted a significant raid on 10 Chinese-owned minimarts, following complaints from local businesses about the influx of contraband foreign goods. Health and anti-money laundering officials, along with local police, spearheaded the operation.

The Network for Thai Entrepreneur Protection had earlier lodged a complaint asserting that these convenience stores were selling smuggled consumer goods. This practice resulted in artificially low prices, making it hard for local businesses to compete.

The network provided evidence showing that these products lacked Thai language labelling and the official certification from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is a legal requirement.

Vice Minister of Public Health, Thanakrit Chit-areerat, led the raid yesterday. The Huai Khwang area, known for its popularity with Chinese tourists and business operators, was the focal point of this operation.

Thanakrit commented on the issue, stating that the Public Health Ministry had already taken legal action against 100 minimarts this year for selling imported products from China without FDA approval.

“We won’t stop at malpractice against FDA regulations. We will investigate further whether there is any money laundering. The issue is not just about health, but also related to the economy because the money these minimarts earn is directly sent back to China.”

He further urged the Department of Revenue to look into the tax payments of shops and landowners, reported Bangkok Post.

The results of the raids were not disclosed.

In related news, eleven Chinese supermarkets in Bangkok have been caught selling products that flout legal safety standards.

This bombshell emerged from a raid orchestrated by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alongside the Consumer Protection Police Division and the Health Department of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

The joint task force swooped in on 11 Chinese supermarkets across four districts: Samphanthawong, Lak Si, Bueng Kum, and Huay Khwang.