Bangkok: The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) conducted a significant raid on a warehouse storing illegal radio communication equipment, seizing items valued at over 20 million baht. The NBTC has urged the public to ensure the credibility of retailers before making any purchases.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Trairat Wiriyasirikul, Deputy Secretary-General and Acting Secretary-General of the NBTC, announced that on May 21, 2026, the NBTC, in collaboration with the Cyber Police, the Customs Department, the Excise Department, and the Personal Data Protection Board, carried out a raid targeting a major smuggling operation. This operation involved the illegal sale of radio communication equipment and related devices. The searches, conducted in Phra Samut Chedi District, Samut Prakan Province, led to the seizure of a large quantity of illegal radio communication equipment, transceivers, and modified devices lacking safety standards, with damages surpassing 20 million baht.
Mr. Trairat explained that the operation was initiated after NBTC officials identified online stores selling unusually cheap two-way radios without proper licensing from the NBTC. Further investigation revealed a storage facility containing telecommunication equipment lacking NBTC certification, along with internet TV boxes and counterfeit certification stickers. The use of such uncertified equipment poses risks of frequency interference and infringes on legitimate product copyrights. The NBTC has invited copyright holders to partake in a joint inspection of the seized goods.
The seized items included 4,131 Motorola walkie-talkies, 139 ICOM walkie-talkies, 44 unbranded walkie-talkies with SIM card slots, 97 YCTEL SIM cards, and 21 unbranded GPS devices. Additionally, 1,124 Marshall brand Bluetooth speakers and 7 MXQ Pro 4K Internet TV Boxes were confiscated, totaling 5,563 devices with a total value of 20,047,759 baht.
Mr. Trairat emphasized the necessity of controlling radio communication device frequencies to prevent interference. The Radio Communication Act B.E. 2498 (1955) imposes severe penalties for the illegal possession or use of such equipment. Violators face fines up to 100,000 baht or imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both. The NBTC warns that ignorance does not exempt individuals or businesses from being guilty of possessing and using unlicensed radio communication equipment.
To avoid legal repercussions and support legitimate trade, the NBTC encourages the public to adhere to specific pre-purchase verification principles. These include buying from reliable stores with NBTC registration, ensuring the presence of an NBTC ID mark on equipment, using only CB radios with approved frequencies, and avoiding suspiciously cheap products.
The NBTC also holds online platforms accountable, requiring them to verify the legitimacy of stores on their platforms and prohibiting the sale of uncertified equipment. Platforms failing to comply may be liable for abetting offenses under the Radio Communication Act B.E. 2498 (1955).