Chiang Mai Military Kills Four Drug Smugglers
Thai border patrol forces killed four drug smugglers in a five-minute firefight in Chiang Mai on July 2, seizing 760,000 methamphetamine tablets, heroin, and raw opium worth millions of baht.
Chiang Mai — Royal Thai Army Border Patrol forces under Maj. Gen. Sadet Waiyanon, commander of the BPO's drug suppression operations center, reported a border drug interdiction operation in Chiang Mai that resulted in a five-minute firefight with a cross-border drug trafficking gang. Four suspects were killed, and authorities seized approximately 760,000 methamphetamine tablets along with significant quantities of heroin and raw opium. All military personnel were unharmed.
The operation stemmed from intelligence received on June 20, 2026, indicating that a smuggling gang planned to cross from a neighboring country into Thailand via the natural mountain pass at Doi Phamomcak in Tambon Maesao, Amphoe Maeyai, Chiang Mai Province.
On June 25, 2026, the BPO's special task unit mobilized two operational teams, including Rangers Company 3207 and cavalry forces, to conduct intensive patrols along natural routes near the Namauean channel in Maesao subdistrict to intercept illegal activity.
On July 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., officers spotted approximately 10-15 armed suspects moving through the terrain. When officials signaled for inspection, the group opened fire with unknown weapons, triggering a fierce five-minute gunfight.
After the shooting ceased, officers discovered four bodies from the smuggling group, while others escaped. All military personnel were safe.
A detailed search of the area recovered significant contraband: 11 modified backpacks containing approximately 760,000 methamphetamine pills, 11 bars of heroin (totaling 3.85 kilograms at 350 grams each), and 16 blocks of raw opium (totaling 25.6 kilograms at 1.6 kilograms each).
Authorities are conducting investigations and pursuing remaining gang members for legal prosecution.
