illegal imports

  • Thailand News

    Cloudy with a chance of cuffs: Teen nabbed for smuggling e-cigarettes

    Police in Nong Khai arrested an 18 year old for illegally selling imported e-cigarettes, seizing 30 boxes hidden in a shoulder bag, ready for distribution. In a significant crackdown on the illegal e-cigarette trade, police in Nong Khai detained a young individual for operating an illicit business out of a local resort room. The arrest took place yesterday when the…

  • Business News

    Foreign trade dept tightens inspection of tapioca chip imports

    Tightened inspections of tapioca chip imports are being enforced by the Foreign Trade Department, following the discovery of a dozen importers smuggling in substandard chips. Ronnarong Phoolpipat, the department’s director-general, revealed that the department had increased inspections at national border areas since November, being the peak sales period for tapioca chips. The operations aim to address a persistent smuggling issue…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand’s economy set for 3.3% growth amid global uncertainties

    Thailand’s economy is projected to grow by 3.3% this year, despite vulnerabilities from international politics, foreign wars, and unrest in neighbouring countries. These factors pose risks to the nation’s export sector. Tawee Piyapatana, the Senior Vice President of the Federation of Thai Industries, expressed concerns after representing the chair at a Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB)…

  • Pattaya News

    Trunk trouble: Illegal elephant pants imports surge sparks probe

    A surge of illegal imports of Thai elephant pants from China and neighbouring countries led to an official investigation on February 5. Phumtham Wechayachai, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, directed the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) to look into this matter. These infringing items were spotted at various tourist hotspots, being sold at prices significantly lower than…

  • Thailand News

    Swine surprise: Task force uncovers pork smuggling scheme in Thailand

    A recent expose by the Phaya Naga Special Task Force revealed a significant new piece of evidence linking a smuggling operation importing illicit pork into Thailand. The discovery was announced by Thanadol Suwannarat, advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and deputy commander and spokesperson of the Phaya Naga task force. At 1.30pm today, the task force prepared to…

  • Crime News

    Beefy business gone bad: Police probe 75 tonnes of rotten meat at local markets

    An investigation into the sale of approximately 75 tonnes of rotting beef at local markets has been requested of the police. This action has been prompted by Atchariya Ruangratanapong, a crime probe activist, who has called on the Central Investigation Bureau to take legal steps against two shipping firms and five senior officials from the Livestock Development Department. It is…

  • Business News

    Baconomics at play: Pork prices sizzle down, fuelling October’s inflation cool-off

    A decline in pork prices significantly contributed to a reduction in the inflation rate in October, an anonymous figure within the Finance Ministry has revealed. The inflation experienced a year-on-year decrease of 0.31% in October, largely due to a 0.2% drop in energy prices, attributed to lower oil costs and employed subsidies to keep energy prices in check. Moreover, food…

  • Thailand News

    Ham handed: 2 Thai men arrested on illegal pork imports, over 10 officials found involved

    Two Thai men surrendered to police over illegal pork imports after fleeing Thailand to evade the arrest. More than 10 government officials were found to be involved in the illegal operation. Recently, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, expressed his dissatisfaction with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for the delay in investigating and arresting suspects in the illegal…

  • Thailand News

    Porky predicament: DSI cracks down on three more shipping companies in illegal pork import saga

    The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is taking legal action against three additional shipping companies implicated in illegal pork importation. Arrest warrants have been issued for three executives linked to these firms, according to Police Major Suriya Singhakamol, DSI director-general. These latest developments follow the previous arrest of six executives hailing from five different shipping companies, all of whom were…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand tightens ban on undeclared pork imports amid African Swine Fever fears

    Thailand’s continual enforcement of the ban on unregulated pork imports, including for personal use, has been underscored by the detection and confiscation of illegal pork imports at major international airports. The canine unit, known as Inspector Beagle, plays a vital role in these inspections, seeking out any meat products potentially carrying viral strains of African Swine Fever (ASF). Friday, October…

  • Thailand News

    Bacon battle: Factory owner shoots director during illegal pork import raid, leaving one official injured

    The owner of a pork storage factory shot and killed the director of the Phetchabun Provincial Animal Quarantine Centre in the central province of Phetchabun today when the deceased and other officers raided an illegal pork import operation. Another official was also injured in the melee. Phetchabun Provincial Animal Quarantine Centre officers raided a cold storage warehouse and a house in…

  • Crime News

    Thai authorities uncover illegal e-waste importation at three factories in central Thailand

    An illegal importation of electronic waste, or e-waste, was uncovered during a raid by the Department of Industrial Works and the Pollution Control Department. They discovered over a thousand tonnes of the waste in three factories located in Pathum Thani and Chachoengsao provinces. The inspection took place today, initiated by Police Lieutenant General Puthidech Bungrapheu, of the Office of the…

  • Thailand News

    Minister’s pork order: 4,300 tonnes of smuggled pork ‘trashed’ in Sa Kaeo landfill

    The Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thamanat Prompow commanded that the disposal of approximately 4,300 tonnes of unlawfully smuggled pork be carried out in a Sa Kaeo landfill. The pork was earlier seized at Laem Chabang port during a Department of the Special Investigation (DSI) probe in July. The confiscated shipment, valued at over 500 million baht, comprised 161 containers.…

  • Thailand News

    Dodgy deals and duds: Online trader busted in Buriram for tax evasion on kids’ clothes

    An online trader was left shocked when he was busted for tax evasion after the Intellectual Property Rights Police raided a prominent company located in Buriram province. The raid uncovered imported children’s clothing being sold online, deliberately avoiding import tax. The tax evasion resulted in a fine four times the evaded amount, totalling more than 16 million baht. Deputy Chief…

  • Crime News

    Illegally imported pork carcasses spark disease concerns in Thailand

    At Laem Chabang port in Thailand‘s Chon Buri province, the Customs Department confiscated a total of 161 containers filled with frozen pork carcasses that had been illegally imported from various countries. The illegally imported pork shipments were found to lack proper documentation and certification, raising concerns about the potential spread of disease among both consumers and local livestock farmers. As…

  • Crime News

    Illegal animal carcass imports uncovered in Chon Buri raid

    Thailand‘s Department of Livestock Development discovered an illegal import of animal carcasses in the Panthong district of Chon Buri. Authorities have confiscated over 1,200 kilograms of tainted products, which have undergone testing for formalin contamination. Dr Somchuan Rattanamangkalanont, the director-general of the department, revealed that the investigation located an illegal food factory in Panthong. Niday Chutiphon Siri Mongkolrat, the director…