Chiang mai: Soldiers clashed with a drug caravan, resulting in four deaths and the seizure of 600,000 methamphetamine pills. The Pha Muang Task Force inspected the site of a clash with a drug trafficking caravan in the forest of Mae Ai Subdistrict, Chiang Mai Province, after a gunfight that began last night. Four people were killed and 600,000 methamphetamine pills were seized.

According to Thai News Agency, soldiers from the Chaiyanuphap Task Force inspected the scene of a clash at a natural border crossing between Thailand and Myanmar in Mae Ai Subdistrict, Chiang Mai Province, after a patrol unit exchanged fire with a drug trafficking group of approximately 10 people last night. A thorough inspection revealed that four members of the drug trafficking group were killed. At the scene, six modified backpacks containing a total of 600,000 methamphetamine pills, one homemade rifle, four spent 12-gauge shotgun shells, one homemade hand grenade, and two mobile phones were found.

Colonel Meechai Nilsart, Deputy Commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, who inspected the scene of the clash, said that intelligence indicated a drug trafficking ring was continuously attempting to smuggle methamphetamine through northern border routes. He therefore ordered the deployment of troops and patrols to intercept them, leading to the discovery of the drug caravan and a subsequent clash. Fortunately, no officers were injured or killed.

Regarding the drug caravan, it was found that after the Myanmar military attacked various ethnic minority bases, drug production groups had to quickly move the drugs out of the area to prevent confiscation and destruction. They were transporting them to Thai buyers who were waiting for large quantities. Currently, the price of methamphetamine at the border is only 1-2 baht per pill. Furthermore, information indicates that there are many more methamphetamine pills, crystal meth, heroin, opium, and ketamine already produced and awaiting distribution, ready to be smuggled across the Thai border.