Bangkok: Hair salon exposed as a drug hideout – eight arrests!
A hair salon in Bangkok was exposed as a drug trafficking hub. Eight suspects have been arrested as police launch an offensive against transnational crime networks.

Bangkok: Hair salon exposed as a drug hideout – eight arrests!
In Bangkok, an inconspicuous barbershop turned out to be a drug trafficking center. Police recently put up a brave face when they carried out a raid on Soi Sukhumvit 3 in Watthana District that was run by a foreign gang. This measure shows that even in popular tourist areas like Bangkok, the darkness of drug trafficking is not far away. The Thaiger reports that a total of eight suspects were arrested, including nationals from various countries such as Egypt, Myanmar, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Thailand.
The undercover police investigators reported that they were lured to the barbershop and confronted with illegal drugs. Behind the normal-looking dressing table and chairs was a secret drug stash house with a special room that was barely visible and was used as a place where customers could consume drugs. Many everyday objects, including even a juice blender, served as inconspicuous hiding places for the seized drugs. The raid seized not only four ecstasy tablets, but also crystal meth, cocaine, meth tablets, magic mushrooms, contraband cigarettes and over 125,000 baht in cash, to name just some of the evidence.
A complex network
The investigation made it clear that it was an organized network. The group seemed to clearly divide their tasks: from selling drugs to recruiting customers to hiding contraband. An Egyptian suspect, Mina Farouk, also denied any guilt and blamed another suspect named Yasim for the situation. The main suspect, a 50-year-old Thai woman named Chalongkwan, claimed she only ran a cannabis shop and salon and denied any involvement in the illegal activities.
This raid is not an isolated incident. On the contrary, it is part of a larger offensive against transnational crimes in Thailand. Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom has already introduced measures to regain visitors' trust in the city and protect the local community. It is suspected that this operation also has connections to larger criminal structures that operate beyond national borders.
Drug trafficking in the region
The drug trade in the region is not without risk, as the figures from the Golden Triangle – the border area between Thailand, Laos and Myanmar – make clear. According to a June 2025 UNODC report, hundreds of tons of synthetic drugs are smuggled out of Myanmar and Thailand often serves as a conduit island for these illegal operations. UNODC has noted that the region is facing an unprecedented increase in drug production, enormously increasing the pressure on law enforcement authorities. In just one month, 7.1 million methamphetamine pills were seized in the region.
Combating these illegal activities is a collective task that involves not only Thailand but also neighboring countries. Cooperation between Thai and Lao authorities is supported by international organizations such as UNODC, which is designing a network to improve information sharing. However, drug trafficking is only one part of a complex problem that also includes human trafficking, poaching and numerous other crimes.
Recent events in Bangkok make it clear that the challenges in the fight against drugs and related crime remain high. Security and order, especially in tourist areas, are essential to maintain the trust of the international community. Police remain vigilant and ready to get to the root of harmful behavior.