The operation, conducted from 5pm to 8pm, was directed by Thalang District Chief Siwat Rawangkun and Administrative Management Group Chief Wisut Romin.
Security District Chiefs and personnel from the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor) were dispatched to investigate following complaints about kratom juice sales close to educational institutions.
The first arrest involved ‘Mr A’ (pseudonym), found operating an unnumbered canvas booth on Thepkrasattri Rd in Moo 5, Thepkasattri, near Wat Muang Mai School, said an official report of the raids.
Officers seized 16 bottles of kratom decoction (1.5 litres each) and four bottles of cough syrup.
A second raid led to the arrest of ‘Ms B’ (pseudonym) at a house in Moo 2, Mai Khao, near Baan Kho En School. Seized from the premises were 86 bottles of kratom decoction, fresh kratom leaves packed in 5kg bags, a 15kg gas tank, a cooking pot and a gas burner.
Both suspects were charged with selling prohibited food (kratom water) in violation of a Ministry of Public Health announcement, an offence carrying a penalty of six months to two years imprisonment or a fine of B5,000-20,000, the report noted.
They also faced charges for selling kratom leaf water and kratom leaves within 1,000 metres of an educational institution, in breach of the Kratom Act and relevant Ministry of Justice and Public Health regulations.
Mr A was handed over to Thalang Police while Ms B was transferred to Tha Chatchai Police for further legal action.
Thalang District officials said the crackdown forms part of the Ministry of Interior’s wider policy to suppress influential figures, gambling, vices, drugs, human trafficking and other criminal activities, with the goal of safeguarding communities and maintaining public order.