Bangkok: Phanurat Lakboon, ONCB Secretary-General, announced the verdict to sentence Mr. Ong Gim Wah to death, a major international drug trafficker, and the results of the arrest of two major networks, arresting two people with arrest warrants, and seizing 30 million baht in assets. .
According to Thai News Agency, the ONCB has approved a budget of 15 million baht for 2025 from the Drug Prevention, Suppression and Problem Solving Fund. This fund is intended as a reward for officials who successfully apprehend major drug dealers, with a target of arresting 200 individuals. So far, 29 individuals have been arrested, spending 10,880,000 baht, including 1,080,000 baht for capturing fugitives within the country and 9,800,000 baht for those abroad. Rewards are allocated with 75% for public informants and 25% for officials.
Mr. Ong Gim Wah, labeled a major international drug trafficker, had a bounty of 1 million baht on his head. He was instrumental in coordinating the drug trade from the Golden Triangle, linking traffickers across Thailand, Malaysia, China, Singapore, and Laos, and smuggling drugs to countries like Malaysia, Taiwan, and Australia. His network was dismantled when he and seven others were arrested with 998 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in Ratchaburi Province in 2023. After fleeing to the Lao PDR, international cooperation between the ONCB and Lao authorities led to their arrest and extradition back to Thailand, ending a 17-year pursuit. Assets linked to Mr. Ong Gim Wah's network were seized, valued at over 85 million baht in Thailand and 4 billion baht in Malaysia, significantly disrupting the financial operations of the drug network. Following his arrest, the market saw a 40% decrease in crystal methamphetamine availability.
The ONCB Secretary-General also highlighted the arrest of two additional key figures in major drug networks. On April 3, 2025, Ms. Pornkanok, a coordinator in a government-related drug trafficking network, was arrested in Chiang Mai Province. Her involvement was previously linked to a government official's arrest with 2 million methamphetamine pills in Chiang Rai Province. Her assets, including land and vehicles worth about 5 million baht, were seized. In another operation, Mr. Saengphet, or "Boy," was arrested in Nakhon Sawan Province. He was responsible for orchestrating drug transport into the country, with assets seized valued at approximately 25 million baht.
The ONCB attributes these successes to the effective integration of intelligence and international collaboration, enabling thorough investigations and the apprehension of suspects with pending arrest warrants for prosecution.