Kratom caper: Thai cops shrimp on illegal juice joint

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) swooped on an abandoned shrimp warehouse in Samut Sakhon following reports of a man distributing all-you-can-drink kratom juice to immigrant workers.

Mueang Samut Sakhon Police Station officers, alongside relevant agencies, responded to complaints from residents about a group of Burmese workers frequently gathering at the warehouse for kratom juice. Signs advertising a drink buffet were reportedly seen at the location.

Upon searching the warehouse, officers discovered many immigrant workers engaging in festivities. They also found kitchenware used for brewing kratom juice and various related ingredients, including different types of cough syrups.

Ken Ma So, the 38 year old owner of the establishment, reportedly admitted to providing kratom juice to his fellow countrymen for a considerable period. He stated that his business had been profitable and thriving before his arrest.

“The business was going well and generating significant revenue.”

Officers took the suspect to the Mueang Samut Sakhon Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Although kratom was decriminalised in Thailand in 2022, selling it, especially in liquid form, requires proper licensing from the Thai Food and Drug Administration, reported Pattaya News.

In related news, Thai Crime Suppression officers raided a location in Samut Sakhon to arrest a group of men extorting money from kratom juice vendors and fuel smugglers. The operation took place today and revealed a scheme where the extortionists posed as police officers to carry out their illegal activities.

Police reports indicate that on May 29, a group of men, donning Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) vests and riding motorbikes, approached a kratom juice store in Mueang Samut Sakhon.

The men claimed to be police officers conducting an inspection, demanding 28,000 baht from the vendor to avoid legal action. They further insisted on a monthly payment of 3,000 baht to keep the store out of trouble.