At 5:30am, Tha Chatchai police arrested Pairoj Upatham, 30, and Pairin Upatham, 22, with 57 bags of kratom weighing 30 kilos. Police also seized the Toyota Vigo they were using to transport the drugs.
Lt Nikorn Choothong from Tha Chatchai police stated at a press conference to announce the arrests that police officers at the checkpoint stopped the Phuket registered Toyota as part of a routine check.
Police questioned and searched the driver, Pairoj, and his passenger Pairin and during a search of the vehicle Pol L/C Charnnarong Haschai discovered 57 bags of fresh kratom leaves hidden behind and under the back seat.
Both men admitted that the leaves belonged to them and that they had bought then in Phang Nga for B20,000. They intended to sell the leaves to a friend in Thalang.
Pairoj and Pairin were taken to Tha Chatchai Police Station where they were charge with possession of a Category 5 drug with intent to sell.