Thai Officials Seize Over 20 Tonnes of Illegally Imported Green Coffee – CoffeeTalk

Customs officials in southern Thailand have conducted a significant crackdown on the illegal importation of goods, seizing over 20 tonnes of green coffee beans in a historic move for the region. This operation is a part of broader enforcement efforts that have resulted in the confiscation of goods valued at 216 million baht, reflecting a 20.5% increase compared to the previous year.

Pichaya Charoensant, director of Customs Office Region 4, which oversees seven southern provinces including Krabi, Narathiwat, Pattani, Satun, Songkhla, Trang, and Yala, highlighted the importance of these seizures in protecting domestic agricultural interests. He stressed that the sale of illegally imported goods at lower prices can undermine local farmers and circumvent fair competition. The illegal coffee seizures were specifically aimed at mitigating downward pressure on local prices, thereby safeguarding the livelihoods of Thai farmers and businesses.

In the ongoing fiscal year, the Customs Office has dealt with a total of 1,964 cases. The majority of these seizures involved untaxed foreign cigarettes, with 597 cases resulting in more than 20 million cigarettes worth approximately 91.9 million baht being confiscated. Additionally, the office has reported 640 instances of products failing to meet Thai Industrial Standards (TIS), including unsafe children’s toys and medicines. These enforcement actions are vital for ensuring consumer safety and strengthening control over illicit goods entering the market.

The efforts taken are part of a concerted initiative to bolster the integrity of domestic commerce and protect public health by preventing unsafe products from reaching consumers.

Read More @ Bangkok Post