In the pulsating heart of Bangkok, just a stone’s throw away from the bustling academic hub, a small shop named TOM GUN KUP found itself at the centre of a dramatic police raid. The day was July 13, 2025, and the urban chatter was suddenly electrified with news of a daring operation led by Police Colonel Santi Kornkasem and his diligent team, including Deputy Superintendent Voraprat Wuttarak and Police Captain Yoschanin Prasertsopha. Their mission: to put an end to an illicit concoction spree that had quietly taken root in this seemingly inconspicuous location on Soi Wongsawang 11, Bang Sue district.
A tip-off had painted a picture of wrongdoing, and under its smoky ink, the officers uncovered the clandestine production of the infamous 4×100—an insidious brew of boiled kratom leaves jazzed up with cough syrup and a medley of hazardous substances. As the operation unfolded, the gathered crowd looked on with bated breath, their eyes wide with a mixture of shock and intrigue.
Inside the stuffy confines of the shop, officers uncovered a veritable treasure trove of illegal goods. Nestled behind the counter, they discovered two robust pots filled with kratom juice, like witches’ cauldrons of murky green liquid. In a refrigerated haven sat 19 clandestinely stored bottles, chilled yet brimming with contraband spirit. The inventory grew grimmer with every turn: six crates of raw kratom leaves, 560 dubious green-and-yellow capsules glinting under the harsh fluorescent lights, and a plethora of other drugs hiding in the shadows.
In addition to the kratom, the team also confiscated an arsenal that would give any amateur mixologist pause—a stack of 1.5-litre kratom juice bottles, an ebony storm of 64 black bottle caps, cannabis flower buds fresh and potent, and a sweetly sinister batch of 70 cannabis-infused brownies. Tools of the trade included a digital scale whispering the secrets of precise measurements, and a humble cash register that had counted the profits of this underground empire, totaling a modest 2,825 baht (about $87 US) in ready cash.
The scene was as complete as a detective’s dream, with every piece fitting snugly into the puzzle. Mobile phones and a tablet were also retrieved, possibly humming with incriminating messages and orders. The culprits of this clandestine venture, 26-year-old Jirakit and his apprentice in misdeed, 23-year-old Nanthanat, confessed to creating the kratom juice at the behest of eager customers, earning between 5,000 and 9,000 baht per transaction—a tiny kingdom’s ransom earned amidst the city’s chaos.
The charges against them read like a litany of the brazenly unlawful: producing and selling food products adorned with the infamous kratom sans proper Thai labelling in stark violation of the Food Act of 1979, trading in modern medicine without the much-needed green light, and peddling dangerous drugs in a pharmacist’s void under the Drug Act of 1967. Their unauthorized foray into pharmacy was nonetheless bold, contravening the Pharmacy Profession Act of 1994, their hands caught in the cookie jar of the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act of 1999 as they toyed with controlled herbs for commercial gain.
Police Captain Yoschanin Prasertsopha issued a somber warning: a chilling trend was emerging among the youth, who sought substances like promethazine, procodeine, and tramadol from pharmacies. These potent drugs, bespoke for severe pain, were being perilously mixed with painkillers or cough syrups in reckless recreational pursuits, teetering on the precipice of life-threatening consequences.
With solemnity wrapped in clinical efficiency, the suspects and their menagerie of seized items were duly handed over to the Prachachuen Police Station, marking the beginning of their journey through the labyrinth of legal ramifications, a harrowing odyssey reported by KhaoSod.
And so the story unfolded in this vibrant cityscape—a tale not just of crime and consequence, but of lives caught in the tremors of human curiosity and the allure of an alternate high.
I can’t believe people are still getting involved in stuff like this. It’s 2025! Don’t they know the risks?
Exactly, it’s like people never learn. It’s not just about the law, it’s about health!
I think the allure of easy money blinds them to the dangers. Greed can be a powerful motivator.
Yeah, but society isn’t addressing the root causes of why people are drawn to these substances in the first place.
It’s sad to see young people getting caught up in these illegal operations. This points to a larger issue with substance abuse education and mental health support.
True, but aren’t we responsible for our actions? They knew this was illegal.
But understanding the law doesn’t automatically give someone the tools to make the right choice.
What a waste of intelligence and resources. Imagine what these people could accomplish if they used their talents legally.
Right? It’s frustrating to see innovative skills and entrepreneurial spirit going down the criminal path.
Isn’t kratom legal in Thailand now? Seems like overkill by the cops.
Kratom is legal, but they were mixing it with other illegal stuff and selling it as a drug.
Still, it’s a plant. The law needs to adapt to modern understandings of natural substances.
The issue isn’t the plant; it’s how they’re abusing and selling it.
We should focus more on rehabilitation rather than just punishment for these young people. It’s obvious they need help.
Rehabilitation is definitely key, and it could prevent future crimes.
Why aren’t these pharmacies being more closely monitored? They’re clearly a part of the problem.
Good point. Pharmacy regulations need to be tighter to prevent abuse of medicinal drugs.
As someone who travels through Bangkok often, it’s alarming to see these drug trends on the rise.
This is why I always say, know your local laws and stay informed. Ignorance is not bliss!
I’m amazed and disappointed people still risk so much for such dubious gains.
Blasting cops for this is hilarious. They are only doing their jobs. It’s the criminals who are at fault!
True, but we can question the proportionality of their response and the underlying issues.
At the end of the day, it’s the law. Follow it or face the consequences.
This story reflects the complex societal relationship with drugs. We need more nuanced solutions.
Didn’t they learn anything from the war on drugs around the world? It needs a new approach.
This is why constant dialogue on drug policy is essential. We can’t progress with the same old methods.
Yeah, reform badly needed. It’s crucial to part ways with outdated models.
I totally agree! We should keep pushing for these discussions.