NONTHABURI — Thai police have seized more than 200,000 e-cigarettes, valued at approximately 100 million baht, in coordinated raids across multiple locations in Nonthaburi province. The operation, one of the largest of its kind, targeted five rented warehouses and five houses linked to an illegal vaping network.
Pol Lt-Gen Samran Nualma, assistant commissioner-general, announced the seizure on March 18, describing it as a significant breakthrough in law enforcement efforts against the illicit e-cigarette trade. Nonthaburi’s governor and senior provincial officials accompanied him in inspecting one of the raided sites.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra also visited the warehouses, reaffirming the government’s commitment to dismantling illegal networks and taking action against officials who may be complicit.
The seized e-cigarettes were allegedly smuggled from China through Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri and are believed to be controlled by a single individual, who is thought to be residing in Thailand.
Authorities had been investigating the network for eight months, with undercover officers posing as buyers before launching the raids. Two men were detained at the scene but claimed to be warehouse security personnel, earning 20,000 baht per month.
Police believe the network operated primarily through online sales. Despite increasing demand, the sale, possession, and use of e-cigarettes remain illegal in Thailand.
