CHIANG RAI – Narcotics Suppression Police report a joint team has arrested four suspects, two Thai and two Myanmar nationals, after tracking a drug run from Myanmar into Thailand. Officers seized a large amount of crystal meth (ice) and ketamine, and believe the organisers were directing the operation from Tachileik.
On 24 December, teams from Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and several security units in the North said they took four people into custody:
- Sakhon, 54, from Pa Sang district, Lamphun
- Praphatsorn, 33, also from Pa Sang district, Lamphun
- Sai Wun, 34, from Tachileik, Myanmar
- Sai Sao Tip, 21, an ethnic Shan man living in Kengtung, Myanmar
Investigators said they received a tip on 23 December that a white Toyota Vigo pickup, with Chiang Mai plates, was heading towards the Chiang Rai border area to collect drugs.
Officers followed the vehicle along Phahonyothin Road towards Mae Sai. The pickup later stopped at a house in Village 9, Wiang Phang Kham subdistrict, Mae Sai. After arriving, the vehicle’s number plates were reportedly swapped to Myanmar plates before it crossed into Tachileik, Myanmar.
Later that afternoon, the pickup returned to Thailand and went back to the same house, where the driver changed the plates back to the original Chiang Mai registration. Authorities said a motorcycle rider then travelled ahead as a lead vehicle. A gold Toyota Vigo pickup, also with Chiang Mai plates, followed and occasionally moved into the lead position.
Search in Chiang Saen leads to drug haul
When the vehicles reached Village 1, Si Don Mun subdistrict, Chiang Saen, they stopped at another house. Officers moved in, surrounded the property, and searched the premises.
Inside, they found all four suspects. Drugs were discovered in a ground-floor storage room and in a concealed compartment at the rear of the first pickup.
Officials said they seized:
- Crystal meth (ice): 120 packages
- Ketamine: 120 kilograms
During early questioning, officers said the suspected head of the network was a man known as “Phat”, believed to be based in Tachileik. Another person, “Tony” (surname and nationality not confirmed), was also named.
Authorities said the organisers used a LINE group to give instructions, including renting a house for 25,000 baht per month. The two Myanmar suspects were allegedly assigned to watch the property, ride the motorcycle as a guide, and help swap number plates so the pickup could cross the border more easily.
After hiding the drugs, the team reportedly returned to Thailand and waited for the next step, moving the shipment further inland.
Officials said all four suspects face serious charges linked to possession with intent to sell and distribution of Category 1 narcotics (ice), Category 2 psychotropic substances (ketamine). The suspects and seized items were handed to investigators at Chiang Saen Police Station for legal action.
