6 Vietnamese nationals arrested in illegal and unhygienic ice cream factory
Police raided a rented house in Nonthaburi province yesterday and arrested six Vietnamese nationals after receiving complaints that the property was secretly converted into an illegal and unhygienic ice cream factory.
Residents in the Sao Thong Hin sub-district of Bang Yai district reported to the Bang Yai District Justice Centre that a group of foreigners rented a house and turned it into an unauthorised production site.
During the inspection, officers found six motorcycle sidecars parked in front of the two-storey home and each was modified into an ice cream cart fitted with a stainless-steel bucket.
Inside the house, police discovered six Vietnamese nationals, consisting of five men and one woman, preparing ice cream to sell in the area. At the back of the property, officers found an ice cream machine, around 100 coconuts, and four tubs of dry ice. All items were seized as evidence.
The group told police they rented the house for 4,500 baht per month and had been living there for about two years. They previously worked at an ice cream shop in Bangkok, where they learned the recipe and production process before starting their own small business.
Their method involved mixing coconut milk, fresh milk and sugar, churning the mixture for one hour, then adding salt for flavour before storing the ice cream in tubs for a day prior to selling. They claimed they earned around 300 to 400 baht in profit per day and did not know the operation was illegal.
Police said the facility and equipment failed basic hygiene standards and video recorded during the raid showed ice cream being made in the same area where the suspects washed and dried their clothes. Dirty stains were found on cooking tools and storage containers.
Officers confirmed that the suspects were not authorised to work or operate a business in Thailand and are also suspected of entering the country illegally.
All six will face legal action, and officials will investigate the homeowner for allegedly renting the property to illegal migrants. District officials will also coordinate with the Sao Thong Hin Municipal Health Department to assess whether the activities affected nearby residents.
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