Bangkok: Soldiers clashed with drug caravans at two locations in Mae Fah Luang District, Chiang Rai, and Fang District, Chiang Mai. More than 3.5 million methamphetamine pills and over 3.6 kg of heroin were seized.
According to Thai News Agency, Maj. Gen. Kittakorn Chantra, commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, instructed the Chao Tak Task Force to investigate the clash between their unit and a drug trafficking gang. The gang was attempting to smuggle drugs from a neighboring country into Thailand at Ban Pa Sang Sung, Mae Fah Luang Subdistrict, Mae Fah Luang District, Chiang Rai Province. The confrontation began in the early evening when the Chao Tak Task Force, patrolling along the border, encountered a group of 15-20 suspicious individuals carrying backpacks. When officers identified themselves and requested a search, the group opened fire with an unknown type of gun, leading to a 30-minute clash.
The officers remained unharmed, securing the area overnight. Upon inspection the next morning, they discovered 14 abandoned backpacks. Each contained roughly 200,000 methamphetamine pills, totaling approximately 2.8 million pills.
The second clash occurred near Nong Tao Village and Nong Bua Kham Village on the Thai-Myanmar border in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province. The Chaiyanupap Task Force, also part of the Pha Muang Task Force, conducted an inspection after their patrol unit encountered a drug caravan early in the morning. The patrol met eight armed men carrying luggage. Despite identifying themselves, the men opened fire to clear their path, prompting a 10-minute exchange of gunfire. The subsequent inspection revealed six backpacks containing a cumulative 728,000 methamphetamine pills and 3.6 kilograms of heroin. This encounter took place less than four kilometers from the border. All seized drugs are now subject to legal proceedings.