Thailand Faces Southern Flood Risks, Drug Seizures at Suvarnabhumi, and Hotel Ketamine Raid

Key summary

Heavy rain threatens southern provinces including Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi, Hat Yai, and Surat Thani from October 26 to 29 due to a strengthening monsoon trough. The Office of the National Water Resources warns of flash floods and river overflows; Ratchaprapha Reservoir in Surat Thani exceeds 80% capacity. At Suvarnabhumi Airport between October 1 and 24, customs seized 577 kg of cannabis flowers (valued at 5.8 million baht) and arrested 40 people, with Indian nationals comprising the largest group. Since the start of 2026, officials have arrested 517 people and confiscated over 10.6 tonnes of cannabis. Additionally, customs seized more than two tonnes of French meat products (beef, wild boar, smoked pork, turkey, duck, lamb, quail, pigeon, salami, Parma ham) valued at 1.2 million baht for lacking required disease and hygiene inspections. Immigration police arrested five Vietnamese nationals in Bangkok's Pratunam district on October 24 regarding an alleged K-pod operation involving etomidate; they seized approximately 3,200 pods and manufacturing equipment. A Khon Kaen homeowner sold her house after three burglaries in three years causing damages of nearly 60,000 baht and almost one million baht. A Greek man was stranded on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya on October 24 when his pickup truck got stuck in sand while attempting to pull a jet ski. The Civil Aviation Authority clarified that airport personnel may open checked luggage only after X-ray screening identifies suspicious items, with regulations introduced on October 16 requiring searches in designated areas, camera recording, and leaving [text cut off].