In the heart of Chiang Mai, an online enterprise with a smoke and mirrors operation met its fateful undoing. Building his empire through the digital lanes of Facebook and LINE, a young entrepreneur was reeling in a hefty sum of 10,000 baht daily, racking up over 100,000 baht a month. This isn’t a tale spun from fiction; it’s the reality that greeted authorities when they cracked down on a burgeoning electronic cigarette trade.
The plot thickened as Police from Special Operations Division 5 orchestrated a meticulous sting operation as the clock struck 1 PM on February 26. The precise location: Project 89 Plaza nestled in Nong Hoi, part of Chiang Mai’s Mueang district. Therein stepped Kiatchai Panyatham, a 28-year-old would-be tycoon, blissfully unaware of the not-so-innocuous undercover officer eagerly awaiting the needle-drop moment of a 390 baht transaction that would seal his fate.
With the exchange executed, the officer pulled back the curtain of deceit and revealed his true badge-flashing identity, spiriting Kiatchai swiftly into custody. The operation’s inception came straight from the desk of Police Lieutenant General Kritthaphon Yee-sakhon, the maestro conducting Region 5’s crackdown symphony against the illicit trade of electronic cigarettes within their territorial jurisdiction.
A day prior, on February 25, a promising lead unraveled as investigators found their breadcrumb trail through the digital footprints of a Facebook page curiously named MY POD WHERE. This page shamelessly peddled its electronic delights across the provinces of Chiang Mai and Lamphun. Like modern-day digital sleuths, the police reached out through the virtual corridors of Line ID 0969965380, texting their way to a confirmed order and delivery.
Upon Kiatchai’s apprehension, the investigation took a deeper dive into his sleek black Honda Civic – his mobile tobacco emporium of sorts – uncovering a stash of 338 electronic cigarettes and refill cartridges. The noir adventure didn’t end there; the suspect sang like a canary, confessing to additional reserves hidden within the confines of his Lamphun province abode. Officers uncovered a treasure trove of 1,269 items – 954 disposable e-cigarettes and 315 disposable cartridges – valued at an eye-watering 349,200 baht.
In swift pursuit of justice, Kiatchai now faces the long arm of the law bearing charges under Section 242 of the Customs Act of 2017 along with breaching the Consumer Protection Board’s order No. 9/2558, relegating the sale of hookahs and electronic cigarettes to the smoggy shadows of illegality.
The reality show continued as further investigation revealed Kiatchai had been flicking the lighter on his e-cigarette commerce for a solid five months. His gig with vapor wares saw him cashing in a stable daily revenue of 10,000 baht, snowballing to a whopping 300,000 baht monthly, with a neat net of 100,000 to 150,000 baht in his coffers. The plot only thickens with the revelation that his swanky inventory was sourced through a LINE user named Ban Lovebird (NEW), with the majority of shipments chugging along from Bangkok and its bustling environs.
As this electronic saga unfolded, the media spotlight illuminated, capturing captivating snapshots for KhaoSod, forever encapsulating the tale of Chiang Mai’s smoky contraband underworld unraveling with the tap of a phone screen and the quiet click of handcuffs.
Can you believe the audacity of these operations? These guys act like they’re untouchable.
Honestly, it’s smart commerce, if not for the legal issues. They’re filling a demand.
Smart or not, laws are in place for a reason. Public health concerns can’t be ignored.
But isn’t the real issue the accessibility minors have to these e-cigarettes? That’s the real harm here.
Exactly, Eli. Irresponsible distribution damages lives—youth addiction is a serious consequence.
Why are e-cigs illegal in the first place? Aren’t they less harmful than traditional ones?
It’s about regulation. There’s less control and uncertainty regarding safety.
Seems like the government is too slow in updating outdated laws for modern scenarios.
Another classic case of a small fish trying to ride the big waves. He should’ve stuck to legitimate business.
Maybe if the legal market was better, he wouldn’t have turned to illegal means. Just a thought!
Perhaps you’re right, but crime is crime, and he’s where he belongs now.
People need to vape to quit smoking. Cutting off supply does more harm than good.
Allowing illegal markets just invites crime and dodgy practices.
Can’t they just legalize and regulate it properly, solving both issues?
Regulation will stifle innovation. This just shows the rigid laws need reform.
Reform takes time that unfortunately these operations don’t seem to have.
This story shines a light on small-scale entrepreneurship, albeit in a bad way.
I think it’s just a glimpse of how creative people get when opportunities are restricted.
Relying on tech for illegal trades is eventually going to end badly. Visibility is too high!
The allure of quick cash overshadows the risk, it seems.
Why go illegal when e-cigs are sold legally in other parts of the world?
Different countries, different rules, Sammy. But global inconsistency is indeed confusing.
This sting was more about control than protection if you ask me.
Control is safety, sometimes even protection needs policing.
He was making so much cash! Shows digital platforms can be gold mines.
What about the health perspective? There must be a balance between market and public safety.
The drama of this saga is so wild it’s like a TV show!
Real-world stakes make the best plots, it seems!
This bust should teach a lesson, but likely won’t stop others from trying.