Law enforcement officers storm an unlawful electronic cigarette manufacturing plant
HOT OFF THE PRESS: Police Bust Huge Illegal E-Cigarette Factory!
Thailand's law enforcers have pulled off a significant operation by raiding a clandestine e-cigarette manufacturing facility nestled in Khu Khot district, Phahon Yothin Soi 80, Lam Luk Ka district. This bust led to the seizure of more than 21,000 e-cigarette devices, the arrest of 29 suspects, and the closure of the factory.
Pitched as a three-storey commercial building, the hidden e-cigarette production site was discovered behind the office and workers' accommodation buildings. Behind this facade, the authorities unearthed an expansive factory covering 3-4 rai. The suspected mastermind of the operation, a Chinese national named Lu Jinke, was allegedly the production supervisor and assembler's trainer.
Other than Lu Jinke, police arrested one Thai, seven more Thais, two Vietnamese, and 19 Cambodians. The device seizure, valued at 6.1 million baht, included a variety of e-cigarette brands. Additionally, equipment such as plastic sealing machines, smoke testers, e-liquid filling machines, and other assembly tools were confiscated.
The crackdown stemmed from the arrest of three individuals reselling disposable e-cigarettes two weeks prior. The arrests led police to trace the products back to this illegal facility, prompting further investigation. The factory was evidently a former marble polishing factory that had been leased in early 2025 and converted covertly into a vaping product factory.
Recent changes in the factory’s production focus were evident. They had begun transitioning from disposable to refillable e-cigarettes and had already secured orders. The factory installation of a conveyor-belt production line was underway, with manual assembly supervised by the Chinese technician. The factory price for each disposable e-cigarette was roughly 130 baht, with the main distribution targeted towards Bangkok and nearby provinces.
The suspects and confiscated items, including the recently manufactured e-cigarettes, were turned over to the Khu Khot police station for further legal proceedings.
(Image Source: Facebook ปทุมธานี นิวส์ Pathum Thani News)
(Image Source: Facebook ปทุมธานี นิวส์ Pathum Thani News)
(Image Source: Facebook ปทุมธานี นิวส์ Pathum Thani News)
It’s no secret that the e-cigarette industry in Thailand faces extreme scrutiny from the government. Strict regulations severely limit vaping products' presence in the country, reflecting the government’s resolute stance against vaping. The Thai Tobacco Authority maintains strong control over the tobacco market and zealously works to suppress vaping products.
Enforcement has become increasingly rigorous, with numerous arrests, seizures, and crackdowns on illegal vaping-related activities. Recently, large-scale operations have targeted illicit manufacturing or distribution facilities, resulting in the seizure of thousands of e-cigarettes and accessories valued at millions of baht.
These operations aim to protect youth and discourage nicotine addiction. Due to the effective ban on e-cigarettes in Thailand, the legal e-cigarette industry is virtually non-existent, leaving black market activity to thrive. Despite the government’s continued efforts to protect its tobacco industry revenues and enforce strict regulations, the underground e-cigarette industry continues to persist.
- The illicit e-cigarette manufacturing operation, uncovered recently in Thailand, highlighting a significant presence in the general-news and crime-and-justice sectors, has triggered concerns in the finance industry regarding the loss of taxes and revenue due to the black market's dominance over the e-cigarette industry.
- The bust of an illegal e-cigarette factory in Thailand, a hot topic in general-news and crime-and-justice, has sparked debates within the manufacturing industry about the implications of such operations on the legal e-cigarette market, as strict regulations hinder the industry's growth and development, leaving a gap exploited by illegal manufacturers.
