Banglamung, Chon Buri – August 21, 2025 — A 50-year-old Thai woman, Hathaithip “Thai” Rueangkham, was arrested during a police raid on a residence on Soi Thung Klom-Tal Man 29. The operation, conducted at 6:30 PM, was led by Deputy Superintendent Pol Lt Col Thana Wisetchai and Investigation Chief Pol Lt Col Suphat Sutsong.
Police seized 62 disposable e-cigarettes of the COKE TIN brand during the search. Hathaithip initially claimed the vapes were not acquired through a smuggling ring. Instead, she alleged that a scavenger who owed her 3,000 baht (approx. US$92) gave them to her, stating the items were discarded by Chinese nationals under a motorway bridge.
Despite admitting she knew selling the vapes was illegal, she confessed to selling them to teenagers for 50 baht (US$1.50) each to make a profit. However, police rejected her account, citing the excellent condition and quantity of the vapes, which suggested direct illegal importation rather than random street collection.
A drug test administered at the time of arrest also revealed that Hathaithip tested positive for illegal substances. She now faces multiple charges, including:
Possession, sale, or concealment of smuggled goods under Section 246 of the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017)
Illegal consumption of a Category 1 narcotic
She has been detained and handed over to investigators for further legal action.
