At 2:00 PM on February 19th, 2025, Don Mueang police and related bodies raided a four-story commercial building in Don Mueang, Bangkok, following complaints of illegal cannabis cultivation by foreign nationals.
The building, located in a well-known market area, was locked from the front, forcing officers to enter from the rear. Inside, they arrested two Vietnamese men and one Swedish man on the fourth floor. The names of the suspects were withheld by the police.
A search revealed four large suitcases on the first floor packed with dried cannabis. The mezzanine was used for cannabis storage, while the second floor contained vacuum sealers and digital scales for packaging.
The third and fourth floors had been modified for cannabis cultivation with irrigation and artificial lighting, though no plants were found, according to the police.
Authorities suspect the building was rented as a cannabis storage and processing site. The raid was part of a broader crackdown on illegal activities by foreign nationals in Bangkok.
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine confirmed that cannabis is a regulated herb, requiring proper licensing under Thai law. Unauthorized activities carry penalties of up to one year in prison and a fine of 20,000 baht. Although cannabis is decriminalized in Thailand, working illegally and running cannabis operations without a license or work permit is not legal.
A Vietnamese suspect reportedly admitted he and his colleagues were hired to guard and package the cannabis for 15,000 baht per month.
Police are now investigating whether the site had any legal permits and will summon the property owner and employer for questioning. The three suspects face immigration law violations for overstaying and have been handed over to Don Mueang police for legal proceedings.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
