Economy
Customs Authorities Seize 30 Tons of Smuggled Black Glutinous Rice in Phitsanulok
Thai customs officials intercepted a truck carrying 30 tons of undeclared foreign black glutinous rice, valued at over 1.2 million baht, on a highway in Phitsanulok province.
On August 22, 2026, officers from the Customs Investigation and Suppression Division of Regional Customs Office 3 intercepted a 22-wheel trailer truck on Highway 11 in Phitsanulok province. According to a report by Khaosod Online, the inspection revealed 30,000 kilograms of black glutinous rice (Khao Kam) of foreign origin. The cargo, valued at approximately 1.2 million baht, lacked the necessary customs clearance documentation.
Authorities seized the shipment for violating the Customs Act of 2017 and transferred the evidence to the Mae Sot Customs House for further legal proceedings. This operation is part of a broader initiative by the Thai Customs Department to intensify patrols in northern provinces, aiming to curb the illegal importation of agricultural products and protect domestic market fairness.
For residents and travelers, this incident highlights the government's ongoing efforts to regulate agricultural imports. While the seizure focuses on commercial smuggling, it underscores the strict enforcement of customs regulations at the border and on major transit routes. It remains to be confirmed whether this specific shipment was intended for local distribution or transit to other regions, and the investigation into the origin of the goods and the parties involved is currently ongoing.