Thai police seize over 50,000 illegal e-cigarettes worth more than 10 million baht, main suspect arrested in Bangkok

Sep.23.2025
Thai police seize over 50,000 illegal e-cigarettes worth more than 10 million baht, main suspect arrested in Bangkok
Thai police cracked an illegal e-cigarette smuggling case, seized 50,000 items worth more than 10 million baht (over 310,000 US dollars), arrested several suspects, and cracked down on a cross-border smuggling network.

Key Points:

 

·Thai police have seized 50,000 illegal e-cigarettes worth over 10 million Thai baht (over 310,000 US dollars). 

·The main suspect has been arrested in Bangkok.

 


 

2Firsts, September 23, 2025 - According to a report from MGR Online on September 22, Thai authorities have cracked down on a case of illegal e-cigarette smuggling, seizing over 50,000 illegal e-cigarettes with a value of over 10 million Thai baht (over $31,000 USD).

 

The police stated that the operation was led by the Thai Department of Economic Crime, with several high-ranking officials including Director Pattanasak Bubpasuwan participating. The suspect Pan Panthawong (alias) was arrested at his residence in Bangkok, and a large quantity of illegal e-cigarettes and two vehicles related to the case were seized at the scene.

 

After an investigation, police discovered that the smuggling network planned to transport a batch of e-cigarette products from a neighboring country to southern Thailand and distribute them to retailers across the country after storing them in a warehouse in Bangkok. Police traced the products to a residential property in Bangkok, which was being used to package and ship them through a private logistics company.

 

During the operation, authorities searched warehouses storing and distributing the illegal products, expanding the scope of their investigation. Ultimately, more smuggled goods were seized in the Phasicharoen district. The suspects admitted to their roles as distributors in the online network, responsible for distributing e-cigarettes to small retailers in Bangkok and surrounding areas. They have been handed over to investigators from the Department of Special Investigation for Economic and Cyber Crime, and legal action will continue to be pursued against any remaining offenders.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Imperial Brands Expands Blu Fruit-Flavour Offerings Following Consumer Preference Data
Imperial Brands Expands Blu Fruit-Flavour Offerings Following Consumer Preference Data
Imperial Brands has announced the launch of a new Sour Berry flavour for its Blu vape range. The product will launch across retail this month, with both the Blu bar kit and Blu pod pack carrying a recommended retail price of GBP 5.99 (approximately USD 7.79, based on 1 GBP ≈ 1.30 USD).
Apr.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Adult Smoking Rate Falls to Historic Single-Digit Low of 9.9%, Study Shows Shift in Nicotine Use Patterns
U.S. Adult Smoking Rate Falls to Historic Single-Digit Low of 9.9%, Study Shows Shift in Nicotine Use Patterns
A new study analyzing National Health Interview Survey data found that adult cigarette smoking in the United States declined to 9.9% in 2024, down from 10.8% in 2023. The findings, published in NEJM Evidence, represent a historic milestone in U.S. tobacco control efforts. Researchers noted that while cigarette smoking is decreasing, the prevalence of e-cigarette and cigar use remained largely unchanged, suggesting a shift in nicotine consumption rather than the elimination of tobacco use.
Market
Mar.20
IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination
IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination
A March 2026 article in Finance & Development, “Taxing Harmful Habits,” argues that taxes on harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks should better reflect the health harm they cause. The authors propose three principles: capture all harmful products, align tax rates with health harm, and strengthen cross-border coordination to reduce evasion and smuggling.
Mar.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Acting CTP Director Says FDA Cut Premarket Tobacco Application Backlog by About 70% Over the Past Year
Acting CTP Director Says FDA Cut Premarket Tobacco Application Backlog by About 70% Over the Past Year
FDA Center for Tobacco Products Acting Director Bret Koplow said at the American Tobacco and Nicotine Forum that the agency has reduced its premarket tobacco application backlog by about 70% over the past year and eliminated the acceptance queue. He said FDA has reviewed about 27 million applications, but only a small number have been authorized, mainly because most submissions lacked the scientific data needed to demonstrate public health benefits.
Apr.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Exclusive|Logistics Operators Warn of Possible New U.S. Border Crackdown on Illicit Vapes
Exclusive|Logistics Operators Warn of Possible New U.S. Border Crackdown on Illicit Vapes
Recent inspections and cargo disruption have led some logistics operators in the China-U.S. vape trade to see early signs of another U.S. border crackdown on illicit e-cigarettes. With late April to early May viewed as a key risk window, the market is watching closely. The bigger question is not only whether enforcement will tighten, but whether it can be sustained.
Special Report
Apr.09
Cambodia Moves to Draft New Tobacco Control Strategy Targeting Illicit Products and E-Cigarette Spread
Cambodia Moves to Draft New Tobacco Control Strategy Targeting Illicit Products and E-Cigarette Spread
Cambodian Health Minister Cheang Ra has called for the development of a tobacco control strategy for 2027–2031, with the goal of reducing tobacco use by 30% by 2030. The directive was issued during a Tobacco Product Control Committee meeting in Phnom Penh. Priority areas include reducing tobacco use, protecting the public from secondhand smoke, tackling illegal and counterfeit tobacco products, and preventing the spread of e-cigarettes.
Apr.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai