Smuggled coffee seizures a first in southern Thailand

Customs officials in southern Thailand have seized more than 20 tonnes of illegally imported green coffee beans this year, as part of a wider crackdown that has resulted in seizures of goods worth 216 million baht. The coffee seizures, made on three separate occasions, were a first for the region, said Pichaya Charoensant, director of Customs Office Region 4, which covers seven southern provinces: Krabi, Narathiwat, Pattani, Satun, Songkhla, Trang and Yala. Speaking at a briefing on activities carried out in the 2026 fiscal year, which ends on Sept 30, he said the total value of all seizures represented an increase of 20.5% from a year earlier. The seizures were aimed at curbing illegal imports, protecting domestic businesses and ensuring fair competition, Mr Pichaya said. Cases of illegally imported wine seized by customs officials in southern Thailand. The office has handled a total of 1,964 cases in the fiscal year to date. Untaxed foreign cigarettes accounted for the most seizures by number and value, with 597 cases involving more than 20 million cigarettes worth 91.9 million baht. Mr Pichaya said the seizure of illegally imported coffee beans was aimed at protecting Thailand’s agricultural sector, as illegally imported goods sold at lower prices could put downward pressure on domestic prices and affect Thai farmers and businesses. The office also reported 640 cases involving products that failed to meet Thai Industrial Standards (TIS) requirements, including children’s toys and medicines. The move was intended to prevent potentially unsafe products from reaching consumers and to strengthen controls on illicit goods at their point of entry, he said. Customs officials inspect a truckload of smuggled goods.