Bangkok: The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and the Royal Thai Navy have successfully intercepted a significant drug shipment, seizing half a ton of crystal methamphetamine and apprehending several suspects aboard a vessel off the coast of Phuket.
According to Thai News Agency, the operation was announced by Pol. Lt. Gen. Panurat Lakboon, Secretary-General of the ONCB. The operation led to the arrest of four individuals, one of whom tragically perished after jumping into the sea during the arrest. Authorities recovered 502 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 600 grams of ketamine from the cabin of the Thai passenger ship, “Elixir,” near Chalong Pier in Phuket Province. A key piece of evidence, a mobile phone, was also recovered. The investigation extended to the suspects’ residences in Ranong Province, where authorities seized assets valued at 5 million baht.
The ONCB Secretary-General noted an increase in maritime drug trafficking, attributed to traffickers avoiding border crossings in Kanchanaburi and the northern and northeastern regions. The structure of major drug trafficking organizations is reportedly based in Myanmar and Laos, prompting calls for ASEAN countries to collaborate in drug suppression efforts.
Mr. Prin Mekanan, Director of the ONCB, explained that the operation was initiated by a 2015 investigation by the Royal Thai Navy Intelligence Department, which uncovered a drug network planning to transport a significant quantity of drugs to a third country. Coordination between the ONCB and the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Naval Area Command led to the identification of the “Elixir,” a Thai-flagged ship, sailing from Ranong Province and anchoring in the Andaman Sea near Phuket. The vessel’s large size and suspicious crew behavior prompted a search, revealing drug packaging equipment on board.
The investigation traced the ship’s journey from Ranong Province to pick up one ton of drugs near Kawthaung, Myanmar, with plans to deliver the cargo to Satun Province. However, due to unfavorable weather and the absence of a claimant for the drugs, the ship returned to Phuket, where the crew packaged the drugs over several days. Ultimately, 20 sacks, approximately 500 kg, were transported to Satun waters, and the remaining 20 sacks were intended for Indonesia but were delayed by weather conditions.
In 2025, Thai authorities made six arrests in domestic waters, seizing 7.3 tons of crystal methamphetamine. Additionally, nine more arrests in Southeast Asian international waters resulted in the seizure of 18.1 tons of crystal methamphetamine and 3.4 tons of ketamine. The intended destinations for these drugs included the Philippines, Taiwan, Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia.