Border Drug Bust: 6.4 Million Methamphetamine Pills Seized
Border patrol forces exchanged gunfire with drug smugglers at the Chiang Dao border in Chiang Mai, seizing 6.4 million methamphetamine pills despite heavy rain and fog that allowed most suspects to escape.
Phayao Border Patrol forces engaged in a fierce firefight with drug traffickers in heavy rain, seizing over 6.4 million methamphetamine tablets at the Chiang Dao border. At approximately 05:30 on July 17, 2025, intelligence indicated a large-scale drug smuggling attempt entering through natural border passages about 5 kilometers from the Doi Luang checkpoint in Ban Kaenoi, Muang Na subdistrict, Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai province. The unit deployed three task forces from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment for rigorous patrols beginning July 10.
When inspection team 1 spotted approximately 30 smugglers moving through the canyon, officers positioned on high ground issued a warning and demanded inspection. The suspects immediately opened fire with unknown weapons. A fierce five-minute firefight erupted amid heavy rainfall and dense fog, but the criminals exploited their terrain knowledge and poor visibility to escape into the canyon. All Thai officers emerged unharmed.
After the area was secured, authorities discovered 30 sacks of methamphetamine totaling approximately 6,490,000 tablets. Initial examination revealed blue tablets marked with the "999" symbol: 19 sacks containing 220,000 tablets each, and 11 sacks containing 210,000 tablets each. Authorities are maintaining control of the area and expanding the investigation to pursue and prosecute the fleeing smugglers.
