Thai army seized face masks illegally imported into Myanmar from Maw Taung-Singkhon pass on July 22, according to Thai media.

An inspection team led by Col. Chong Augsuek from No.146 Thai Border Guard stopped a Toyota Hilux vehicle driven by Nattapong from Prachuap Khiri Khan Province to the Maw Taung-Singkhon pass and found carrying fruits covered with plastic bags. They suspected something and discovered face masks under the fruits.

They found 44 packings of KF94 face masks (included 100 packs in one packing and one pack in ten face masks) manufactured by South Korea, 17 packings of three-ply masks (included 50 packs in one packing and one pack in 50 face masks).

“The illegally imported face masks are seized at Singkhon pass. It is generally known that they were ordered from Myanmar. Thai officials arrested the driver,” said an official.

According to Article 167 of the 2017 Thai Ordinance, these items are part of a controlled substance that prohibits the availability of adequate medical supplies in the country and the export of them.

The driver confessed that face masks are exported to Myanmar as face masks are high in demand in Myeik district, according to the Thai media.