Last Updated on October 16, 2026 by Jeff Tomas
CHIANG RAI – Police authorities announced a massive drug seizure at the Phan Police Station. Police arrested three suspects in two separate cases, confiscating 300,000 methamphetamine pills and 350 kilograms of crystal meth. The drugs were headed for inner Thailand from the northern border.
Chiang Rai Police Commander Songkrit Ontakrai led the press conference alongside local officials. They praised the quick action of officers at the Pu Kaeng drug checkpoint. The checkpoint teams successfully intercepted the smuggling attempts through thorough vehicle inspections.
Key Takeaways
- Police seized 300,000 meth pills and 350 kg of crystal meth in Chiang Rai.
- Three suspects were arrested during two separate roadside smuggling attempts.
- Smugglers hid the drugs inside car frames and a secret truck compartment.
The first arrest took place on October 4, 2026. Acting on a tip, police stopped a black Isuzu MU-X at the Pu Kaeng checkpoint. Inside, officers found 300,000 meth pills stuffed into various parts of the vehicle’s frame and cabin. Police immediately arrested the 34-year-old driver, Surasak Prompiban.
During questioning, the suspect confessed to taking the job through the LINE app. A man hired him to drive the drugs to Nakhon Sawan. The agreed payout was 240,000 baht, and the driver had already received a 50,000 baht advance. Following the arrest, police also seized a white Mitsubishi pickup from the suspect’s home.
Crystal Meth Under Drinking Water
In a second major operation, checkpoint officers stopped a white Hino truck with Bangkok plates. The truck appeared to be hauling a normal load of packed drinking water. However, police soon noticed unusual changes to the truck’s bed. Underneath the water packs, they discovered a secret compartment sealed with a steel plate.
Inside the hidden space, officers found 350 green plastic bags filled with crystal meth. Each bag weighed about one kilogram, bringing the total to 350 kilograms of the illegal drug. Police arrested a 32-year-old man named Worawut and a 33-year-old woman named Prapatsara. Both suspects are originally from Nong Khai province.
Worawut admitted this was his fourth time smuggling drugs this way. He told police he was paid 300,000 baht per trip to drive the crystal meth to Samut Prakan. Both suspects passed medical checks at the local hospital before being charged with drug possession for commercial trade.
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