PHUKET — 28 May 2026, Thai customs officials arrested three foreign nationals at Phuket International Airport after they allegedly attempted to bring 38 undeclared smartphones into the country without paying import duties.
The arrests were made on 28 May inside the international arrivals terminal at Phuket International Airport in Mai Khao, Thalang district, customs officials said.
The suspects were identified as Uzbek nationals, 35 and 24, along with Kazakh national, 20.
Authorities seized 38 smartphones found in the group’s luggage.
According to customs officials, the three travellers were stopped at about 10:00 while passing through the “Nothing to Declare” green channel on the first floor of the international arrivals terminal.
Officers detected suspicious items inside their baggage and conducted a detailed inspection of three suitcases.
The search uncovered 38 imported smartphones, officials said.
The suspects acknowledged ownership of the luggage, according to authorities.
Officials charged the three with illegally importing goods that had not undergone proper customs procedures or had not been declared for tax payment before entry into Thailand.
The suspects and the seized phones were handed over to investigators at Sakhu Police Station for further legal proceedings.
