CHIANG RAI – Soldiers from Task Force Chao Tak under Pha Muang Task Force have recovered 232 kilograms of crystal meth after a brief firefight with a drug caravan in Mae Fah Luang district of Chiang Rai Province.
The soldiers were patrolling the Mae Fah Luang border area near the Wa-controlled zone when they spotted a group carrying modified straw sacks into Thailand. When troops ordered them to stop for inspection, the group opened fire, triggering a brief clash. No soldiers were injured. Reinforcements were brought in to secure the area.
After the gunfire ended, the suspects fled and left behind 10 sacks in the forest. Inside was more than 232 kilograms of crystal meth (ice). Troops have since tightened security in the area.
At around 8:30 a.m., officers searched the clash site and found 10 modified straw sacks scattered along the forest line. A check of the sacks revealed Category 1 narcotics (ice) packed inside. The weights were reported as:
- About 16 kg per sack (2 sacks)
- About 17 kg per sack (4 sacks)
- About 33 kg per sack (4 sacks)
The total weight came to approximately 232 kilograms. The drugs were seized as evidence, and authorities continued strict screening and patrols to block further crossings.
Ban Lao Wang sits close to the border. Across the line is mountainous forest between Ban Mai Piang Fa and Ban Ae Di in Shan State, Myanmar, an area reported to be under Wa group influence.
Pha Muang Forces also reported overall results since Oct 1, 2025. During that period, officers carried out 194 interceptions, arrested 205 suspects, and seized:
- 1,017,101,142 meth pills
- 1.3 kg of heroin
- 1,662 kg of ice
- 1.5 kg of opium
- 327.2 kg of ketamine
Authorities reported 29 armed clashes with trafficking groups, with 16 suspects killed. Officials said that if the seized narcotics had reached Bangkok, the estimated economic damage based on sale value could have reached 20,190,955,619 baht.
