CHIANG RAI – Thailand’s Region 5 Provincial Police shared results from three major drug cases across Phrae, Chiang Rai, and Chiang Mai. Police arrested five suspects and seized a total of 3,262,000 methamphetamine pills.
Officials also reported that, over the past four months, authorities have seized about 144 million meth pills in the region and confiscated assets tied to drug crimes worth about 135 million baht.
On January 28, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., Region 5 Provincial Police held a press conference led by Lt. Gen. Kritthaphon Yeesakhon, Commander of Region 5. The briefing covered arrests and follow-up investigations from Region 5 Investigation Division teams and provincial police units in Phrae, Chiang Rai, and Chiang Mai.
The event took place at the press area of the Region 5 Investigation Division building in Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai Province.
Police said the work followed the government’s policy to coordinate anti-narcotics efforts across agencies. The operations involved multiple police units, local administration partners, and related agencies working together in the field.
Police Summary of the 3 Cases
Across the three cases, officers handled five suspects and seized 3,262,000 methamphetamine pills.
- Phrae (Mueang Phrae Police Station area)
Arrested 3 suspects and seized 1,220,000 methamphetamine pills. - Chiang Rai (Mae Sai Police Station area)
Arrested 2 suspects and seized 972,000 methamphetamine pills. - Chiang Mai (Mae Taeng Police Station area)
Seized 1,070,000 methamphetamine pills (no suspect arrested at the scene).
Case details
Case 1: Phrae, 1,220,000 methamphetamine pills seized
On January 24, 2026, around 12:30 a.m., Region 5 investigation teams and Mueang Phrae Police worked in the area of a U-turn near Ban Prathum on the Phrae to Nan road. The operation continued at a property in Village 9, Ban Daen Chon, Mueang Mo Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District.
Officers arrested three suspects and found 1,220,000 meth pills inside a room behind the house. The suspects and evidence were handed to investigators at Mueang Phrae Police Station for legal proceedings.
Case 2: Chiang Rai (Mae Sai), 975,000 meth pills seized
On January 26, 2026, around 1:30 p.m., Mae Sai Police and investigation teams worked with related units at the parking area of a hotel in Village 10, Wiang Phang Kham Subdistrict, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province.
Police arrested two suspects and seized 975,000 meth pills hidden inside a vehicle. The suspects and evidence were sent to Mae Sai Police Station for prosecution.
Case 3: Chiang Mai (Mae Taeng), 1,070,000 meth pills seized
On January 26, 2026, around 10:30 p.m., Region 5 officers and Mae Taeng Police searched an area near a trash pit in Nong Khong Village, Village 4, Khilek Subdistrict, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province.
Officers seized 1,070,000 meth pills. The evidence was sent to Mae Taeng Police Station while investigators continue working to identify and arrest those responsible.
Region 5 anti-drug results (Oct 1, 2025 to Jan 27, 2026)
Region 5 Police also shared broader enforcement results for the period:
- 9,370 drug-related cases
- 110 major drug cases
- Seized drugs included:
- Meth pills: about 144 million
- Crystal methamphetamine (ice): about 3,275 kg
- Heroin: about 67 kg
- Ketamine: about 447 kg
- Opium: about 5 kg
- Confiscated assets linked to drug crimes: about 135 million baht
