Chiang Rai – Soldiers from the Pha Muang Task Force discovered 1,760,000 methamphetamine pills hidden in a ditch near a lychee orchard after suspects avoided a military checkpoint at Pha Mee.
On March 12, 2025, at approximately 9:00 a.m., Col. Anuwat Panyanun, commander of the Task Force of Thap Chao Tak, inspected a site in Ban Pha Mee Soi 21, Wiang Phang Kham Subdistrict, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province.
Soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Company, part of the Pha Muang Task Force, seized eight sacks of methamphetamine pills hidden in a waterway covered with thick grass near lychee and guava orchards.
The sacks contained pills in varying amounts: three sacks with 240,000 pills each, four sacks with 210,000 pills each, and one sack with 200,000 pills, totalling 1,760,000.
Soldiers had been patrolling along the Thai-Myanmar border near Ban Pha Mee, opposite the Shan State village of Ban Sam Pi in Myanmar, on the night of March 11. Around ten men were spotted moving in the dark on the Myanmar side.
Troops set up checkpoints and monitored suspicious areas but later lost sight of the group, likely due to their familiarity with the terrain.
At around 3:00 a.m., local residents reported loud barking from dogs near a waterway. Troops observed the area until dawn. Upon investigation, they found the eight sacks of methamphetamine along with a sarong left at the scene.
Authorities believe smugglers carried the drugs on foot across the border to a resting spot about 3 kilometres from the boundary. To avoid the heavily-monitored Pha Mee checkpoint, they chose this route to temporarily hide the drugs before transporting them by vehicle.
Chiang Rai Military officers, narcotics control agents, and Mae Sai police inspected the scene and confirmed the contents of the sacks were methamphetamine. Evidence has been collected, and efforts are underway to track down those involved in the smuggling operation.
This marks the second major drug seizure in Ban Pha Mee in 2025. Authorities suspect the same group may be linked to a previous case and had adjusted their tactics following earlier confiscations.
Meanwhile, Pol Lt Gen Akkaradej Pimolsri, Deputy Police Chief travelled to Chiang Rai to intensify efforts in dismantling the drug trafficking network linked to “Boonsai and Pollee Saemua.” This group has been smuggling drugs across the Mekong River from the Golden Triangle area, using paths through Chiang Saen, Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai, and Phusang in Phayao.
Their activities have also been tied to a high-profile shooting of a village leader. Authorities have pursued 20 cases, seizing 150 million methamphetamine pills, 500 kilograms of heroin, and 300 kilograms of crystal meth. Arrest warrants have been issued for 60 individuals.
Pol Lt Gen Akkaradej P led a team in extending the investigation of a recent drug bust in Phaya Mengrai District, Chiang Rai, where police intercepted a pickup truck carrying 8 million meth pills, though the driver managed to escape.
Following this, officials secured 16 arrest warrants and began tracking those involved. Their investigation targeted a major drug network operating along the Thailand-Laos border.
The network, which has been active in Phaya Mengrai and Wiang Kaen districts in Chiang Rai, smuggles drugs into the country from Laos. It is led by Boonsai, who has been moving methamphetamine across the Mekong River via Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong.
The drugs are then transported deeper into Thailand, passing through Chiang Rai and reaching Phusang in Phayao. This group has also been linked to the 2018 ambush and shooting of Taweesak, a village leader in Wiang Kaen, along the Phatang-Phu Chi Fa road.
From July 31, 2020, to March 2, 2025, authorities have handled 20 cases connected to Boonsai’s network. They’ve arrested 26 suspects, issued 60 warrants, and captured 12 individuals from the wanted list. Confiscated items include 150 million meth pills, 500 kilograms of heroin, and 300 kilograms of crystal meth.
In addition, officials recently seized 998,800 methamphetamine pills in Muang District, Chiang Rai, during a separate operation.
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Geoff Thomas is an award winning journalist known for his sharp insights and no-nonsense reporting style. Over the years he has worked for Reuters and the Canadian Press covering everything from political scandals to human interest stories. He brings a clear and direct approach to his work.
