Chiang Rai: Pha Muang forces engaged in a violent confrontation with a caravan transporting drugs, specifically ice, just 600 meters from the border in Mae Fah Luang District. The clash resulted in the deaths of four opposing individuals, and authorities seized 1,155 kilograms of ice.
According to Thai News Agency, Maj. Gen. Kittikorn Chantra, commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, along with Colonel Chakkraphong Sodsi, deputy commander of the Chao Tak Special Forces Task Force, visited the site of the incident. The clash involved soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Regiment of the Chao Tak Special Forces Task Force and a drug smuggling operation in Ban Pang Mahan, Village 8, Thoet Thai Subdistrict. The skirmish occurred around 10:00 p.m. and was located approximately 600 meters from the Thai-Myanmar border.
The soldiers were conducting routine patrols to prevent illegal activities as per the Narcotics Act when they encountered a suspicious group carrying backpacks. Upon revealing themselves and requesting a search, the group responded with gunfire, initiating a 20-minute clash before retreating into the neighboring country. Following the confrontation, soldiers secured the area overnight. At dawn, they discovered 34 backpacks and the bodies of four deceased individuals from the opposing forces.
Upon further inspection and counting of the seized items, authorities confirmed the presence of approximately 1,155 kilograms of ice within the backpacks. It is suspected that the drugs were intended for transit to another country, using Thailand as a passageway.
The commander of the Pha Muang Task Force stated that a group comprising 30 to 35 individuals was responsible for transporting the ice from across the border. The subsequent exchange of fire with officials led to the four fatalities, while the remaining individuals likely retreated back to neighboring territories. The commander highlighted the growing severity of the drug situation in the region.