PATTAYA, THAILAND – Thai narcotics officers uncovered a suspected production site for chemical precursors to synthetic drugs including “Happy Water” and “Pod K” in a luxury villa in Banglamung.
Raid on luxury villa in Banglamung
The inspection was carried out on Friday evening by Region 2 of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) together with forensic police, immigration officers and Tourist Police. Officers confirmed on site that the previously discovered equipment and chemicals had very likely been used as precursors for the manufacture of illegal drugs.
Attempted escape and arrests
The operation began after Banglamung Police Station officers and representatives of the Nong Pla Lai Subdistrict Municipality followed up on reports of chemical waste being discharged into a nearby creek. When they attempted to inspect the villa, two Chinese men tried to flee; one fell while climbing over a wall and broke his leg, while the other was also detained.
Three production stations and 90 liters seized
Inside the house, officers found three chemical production stations and a larger quantity of various chemicals. They also seized three 30‑liter plastic barrels containing suspected finished products, whose exact contents still required laboratory analysis.
On-site tests detect multiple narcotics
At around 7 p.m. on 13 February 2026, Suradej Latehsan, director of the ONCB Region 2 Law Enforcement Division, led a joint operation with forensic specialists from Region 2 Chonburi to test the substances on site. Using rapid tests and special detection plates, six chemicals were examined, and indications were found of methamphetamine, ketamine and MDMA as controlled narcotics.
Suspected “Happy Water” and “Pod K” precursors
Authorities believed the equipment had been used to produce precursors for “Pod K”, ketamine‑based e‑cigarette liquids, as well as for “Happy Water”, a synthetic drug cocktail. These mixtures, which can contain ketamine, methamphetamine and MDMA in liquid form, were considered particularly popular among wealthy Chinese partygoers in the regional club and nightlife scene.
Further forensic analysis planned
Despite the incriminating rapid‑test results, investigators announced they would send samples to a forensic laboratory to clarify the composition and role of the substances in the suspected production. Only on the basis of this detailed examination were the finds to be definitively classified in legal terms and the charges precisely formulated.
Allegations and statements by the two Chinese men
Banglamung police prepared charges against Xu Yunlong, 42, and Xu Tianking, 32, for the unauthorized manufacture and possession of Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine) and Category 2 narcotics (ketamine). Both stated that they had only been employed as caretakers of the house, received 40,000 baht per month and had taken instructions from an older, unidentified chemist via a translation app without knowing about the drug connection.
Medical treatment and immigration records
After his fall, Xu Yunlong was taken to Pattaya Padthomakun Hospital, where an X‑ray confirmed a broken leg, but no longer‑term inpatient treatment was deemed necessary and he was later brought back to the scene for further questioning. According to immigration records, he entered Thailand on 11 February 2026 on a tourist visa, while Xu Tianking had arrived on 8 February 2026.
Evidence collection and broader investigation
Police and forensic technicians documented the crime scene in detail, secured evidence for scientific analysis and had the suspects point out relevant areas of the villa to supplement the investigation file. In parallel, investigators sought to identify the origin and supply chains of the chemicals, possible distribution networks and additional parties involved in the operation or supply of the suspected laboratory.