CHIANG RAI – Police in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, arrested a man and a woman after finding 975,000 methamphetamine tablets (yaba) hidden inside a white saloon car near the Thai-Myanmar border.
Chiang Rai Provincial Police commander Pol Maj Gen Manop Senakul said the arrests followed an investigation into a drug network believed to be stockpiling a large shipment at a house in Pha Taek village (Moo 10), Wiang Phang Kham sub-district, Mae Sai district.
Investigators were told the drugs would be moved using a white Toyota saloon with Chiang Rai number plates.
Officers later spotted a white Toyota matching the description parked at a hotel in the same village. Police set up surveillance around the car and checked hotel records, which showed a man and a woman staying in a room there.
At about 1.30 pm on 26 January, the pair left the room and walked to the vehicle. The man got into the driver’s seat, while the woman was about to get in as a passenger. Officers moved in, surrounded the car, and carried out a search.
Inside, police found the tablets packed across multiple containers, including cardboard boxes, paper bags, cloth shoulder bags, and several plastic bags. The total seized was 975,000 yaba tablets.
The suspects were named as:
- Mr Thawat Chai, 42, from Thung Rang sub-district, Kanchanadit district, Surat Thani
- Ms Suwajee, 26, from Don Sak sub-district, Don Sak district, Surat Thani
During initial questioning, both reportedly told police the drugs were meant to be delivered to southern Thailand for sale.
They face charges linked to possession with intent to sell and distribution of a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine) without permission, with an alleged commercial purpose. Police also added a drug-use charge.
Officers also found Mr Thawat Chai was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Surat Thani Provincial Court (Warrant No. 171/2568, dated 22 August 2568) in connection with drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit drug offences, and money laundering allegations.
Both suspects were handed over to investigators at Mae Sai Police Station for further legal action.
