On May 28, 2026, three foreign individuals were apprehended at Phuket International Airport after allegedly attempting to smuggle 38 undeclared smartphones into Thailand without paying the necessary import duties. The customs officials made the arrests within the international arrivals terminal located in Mai Khao, Thalang district. Those detained were identified as two Uzbek nationals, aged 35 and 24, and a 20-year-old Kazakh national. The officials seized the smartphones discovered in their luggage. The group was stopped around 10:00 AM while they were passing through the ‘Nothing to Declare’ green channel on the first floor of the arrivals terminal. Upon inspection, customs officers found suspicious items in their bags, prompting a thorough examination of three suitcases. The search revealed a total of 38 imported smartphones. Authorities reported that the suspects admitted to owning the luggage. They now face charges for illegally importing goods that were not declared for tax payments or did not follow proper customs procedures prior to entering Thailand. The individuals, along with the confiscated phones, were transferred to Sakhu Police Station for further investigation and legal action.
Source: Khaosod English
