CHIANG RAI – Soldiers from Pha Muang Task Force exchanged fire with a drug-smuggling group along the border in Mae Fa Luang district, Chiang Rai, after suspects opened fire to clear an escape route.
They later seized four modified straw sacks hiding more than 800,000 methamphetamine tablets. No personnel were hurt, and authorities are continuing border checks to block further trafficking.
On 23 January 2026, troops from Cavalry Company 1, Task Force Chao Tak, Pha Muang Task Force confiscated four sacks of drugs following an overnight operation. The unit had set up a checkpoint under Thailand’s narcotics laws outside the Huai Uen operations base, Moo 10, Thoet Thai sub-district, Mae Fa Luang, Chiang Rai.
During the operation, officers noticed a large group of youths acting suspiciously. They were riding motorcycles in circles near the base, appearing to watch the officers’ work.
To avoid alerting anyone, the team continued normal duties at the base. Soon after, intelligence reports confirmed unusual movement in the area. Troops were then deployed to patrol natural routes near Ban Mueang Song, Moo 13, Thoet Thai, Mae Fa Luang, Chiang Rai.
Officers from the Pha Muang Task Forcespotted about five to six suspicious individuals sitting near the forested border area. When officers identified themselves and moved in to search, the group ran. They then fired at the officers with firearms of unknown type and calibre to block pursuit.
A brief firefight followed, lasting around five minutes. After the shooting stopped, all officers were confirmed safe.
Pha Muang Task Force soldiers then secured and checked the area around the clash site. No suspects were found, but four modified straw sacks were discovered in the forest line.
Inside were Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine tablets), about 200,000 tablets per sack, totalling roughly 800,000 tablets. The drugs were seized as evidence, and officers maintained screening measures in the area.
