Forensic officers inspect Khon Kaen prison construction site after 30 bags of meth found buried

KHON KAEN — On August 17, 2026, forensic officers examined the site of a new staff residence for Khon Kaen Central Prison following the discovery of 30 bags of methamphetamine during excavation. Khon Kaen Central Prison Director Phairat Khaminthakul, Muang Khon Kaen Police Chief Pol. Col. Yotsawat Kaewsuebthannij, district officials, and forensic science center personnel inspected the site situated south of the prison.

The drugs were uncovered when a construction worker operating an excavator cleared and leveled the land for the new building. 24 blue bags and six pink bags were found buried, located roughly 10 meters from the prison wall bordering the inmate detention area. Authorities cordoned off the area and questioned construction workers, the excavator operator, and prison officials.

Pol. Col. Yotsawat stated they needed to determine if the drugs were old or recently placed, and were reviewing CCTV footage and questioning witnesses. The drugs could have been deliberately left by someone with malicious intent or buried with soil brought in for the construction site. Prison Director Phairat emphasized that all possibilities require investigation.

The prison has handed over the site to a private company to construct a four-story staff accommodation building with 32 rooms, which had been handed over in February and construction began in July. Following the discovery, authorities plan to seal off the construction area to prevent inmates from interacting with construction workers, and will strengthen security measures including hourly patrols, heightened checks at entrances and exits, designated parking and waiting zones, and weekly prison-wide searches and random drug testing. Authorities aim to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.