Massive Drug Haul in Chiang Rai
CHIANG RAI – Soldiers from Thailand’s Pha Muang Task Force, working alongside police, intercepted a major drug caravan in Mae Fa Luang district, seizing approximately 6 million methamphetamine pills and 64 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in a dramatic operation near the Thai-Myanmar border.
The bust, which also yielded explosives, firearms, ammunition, radios, and a pickup truck with Lamphun license plates, occurred after a violent clash with armed drug traffickers.
Gun Battle on the Border
Major General Kidakorn Jantra, commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, reported that on July 2, 2025, a combined unit of soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Company and border patrol police encountered a group of approximately 25 to 30 armed smugglers.
The confrontation took place near Ban Saeng Ngern, Village 12, in Mae Fa Luang Subdistrict, close to the Thai-Myanmar border. Following an exchange of gunfire, authorities initially seized 25 bags of methamphetamine tablets, amounting to roughly 5 million pills.
Further Discoveries
After the firefight, police from Mae Fa Luang Police Station and other agencies thoroughly searched the surrounding forested terrain.
Investigators discovered a silver Isuzu pickup truck bearing Lamphun license plates, parked on a remote forest road. Hidden inside the vehicle were several large sacks of drugs. The subsequent tally brought the total seizure to 32 sacks containing around 6 million methamphetamine pills, alongside two additional bags filled with approximately 64 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.
The search also uncovered a long-barrel shotgun, a hand grenade, two radios, and several cartridge cases believed to belong to AK-47 rifles. Tragically, two suspected drug smugglers were found dead at the scene from gunshot wounds sustained during the firefight.
Strategic Border Concerns
Maj. Gen. Kidakorn highlighted the significance of the border area near Ban Saeng Ngern, which sits opposite Myanmar’s Tachileik and Mong Hsat regions. The terrain in this part of Chiang Rai is characterized by dense forest and rugged mountains, with sparse residential settlements.
Nearby Ban Edi is home to the Lahu ethnic community in Myanmar’s Shan State, while surrounding regions house various military outposts operated by ethnic armed groups. A network of roads in the area also connects to Tachileik and the Wa-controlled Special Region 2, known for heavy narcotics production and trafficking activities.
Continued Border Vigilance
In response to this major seizure, Maj. Gen. Kidakorn has ordered security forces to maintain heightened vigilance along the border to intercept further attempts to smuggle narcotics into Thailand.
“The geography and remote areas create challenges for law enforcement,” he said. “We will continue our efforts to prevent drugs from crossing into the country and protect our communities from this threat.”
