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Mae Hong Son Border Syndicate Supplying Contraband to Famous Jae

Mae Hong Son Border Syndicate Supplying Contraband to Famous Jae

Khaosod•Society•12h ago

Reader Briefing

A sophisticated syndicate involving former local officials, contractors, and village heads in Mae Hong Son is allegedly involved in illegal logging and smuggling of contraband, including timber, livestock, and drugs, supplying a well-known figure referred to as 'Jae' in Mae Sariang.

  • •A syndicate of former local officials, contractors, and village heads in Mae Hong Son is involved in illegal logging and smuggling.
  • •The group allegedly transports timber, livestock, and drugs, supplying a prominent figure known as 'Jae' in Mae Sariang.
  • •New roads have been constructed to facilitate the movement of contraband, bypassing traditional routes and evading authorities.

Overview

  • •On February 17, 2026, news broke about the alleged illegal timber and contraband syndicate operating on the Mae Hong Son border.
  • •Roads were illegally cut along mountain ridges to connect existing routes between Huay Kong Poe and Mae Sam Peng Nue, leading to Ban Sao Hin.
  • •The syndicate aims to smuggle minerals, cattle, buffalo, and drugs, along with teak and rosewood, to bypass traditional Sao Hin-Mae Sariang routes and reach Chiang Mai.
  • •The construction of new roads was necessitated by the need to transport minerals, requiring haulage vehicles.
  • •Members of the syndicate include a former Subdistrict Administrative Organization (อบต.) mayor, a major local contractor identified as Mr. S., village heads from two villages, and a gasoline station owner.
  • •Illegally logged rosewood and teak were previously transported and sold in Chiang Mai and Mae Sariang, with a portion sold to a well-known 'Jae' in Mae Sariang.
  • •Contraband wood was temporarily stored at a temple in Mae La Luang subdistrict under the guise of temple construction before being moved to Chiang Mai via Mae La Luang subdistrict, Mae La Noi district, and Mae Sariang district to supply 'Jae'.
  • •Contacts were made with Myanmar anti-government soldiers in Sao Hin to move drugs, cattle, buffalo, and minerals through Ban Sam Peng, Ban Huay Kong Poe, en route to Chiang Mai, utilizing forest paths without checkpoints.

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Key Entities

Place

Mae Hong Son(แม่ฮ่องสอน)ℹ️
Province on the border of Myanmar, where an illegal logging and contraband syndicate operates.
Mae Sariang(แม่สะเรียง)ℹ️
District in Mae Hong Son Province, a transit point for illegal timber and a location where a figure known as 'Jae' resides.
Chiang Mai(เชียงใหม่)ℹ️
Province in northern Thailand, a destination for contraband smuggled from Mae Hong Son.
Ban Huay Kong Poe(บ้านห้วยกองเป๊าะ)
A village in Mae Hong Son Province, part of a route used for smuggling contraband.
Ban Mae Sam Peng Nuea(บ้านแม่สำเพ็งเหนือ)
A village in Mae Hong Son Province, connected by illegally constructed roads for smuggling routes.
Ban Sao Hin(บ้านเสาหิน)
A border area in Mae Hong Son Province, mentioned as a point for illegal transit and interaction with Myanmar military factions.
Mae La Luang(แม่ลาหลวง)
A subdistrict in Mae La Noi District, Mae Hong Son Province, where illegally logged wood was reportedly stored.
Mae La Noi(แม่ลาน้อย)ℹ️
District in Mae Hong Son Province, a transit point for smuggled goods and part of the alleged syndicate's routes.
Mae Chaem District(อ.แม่แจ่ม)ℹ️
District in Chiang Mai Province, a destination on a smuggling route originating from Mae Hong Son.
Doi Inthanon(ดอยอินทนนท์)ℹ️
A prominent mountain in Chiang Mai Province, mentioned as part of a route for smuggling contraband.
Chom Thong District(อ.จอมทอง)ℹ️
District in Chiang Mai Province, the final destination on a smuggling route originating from Mae Hong Son.

Person

Jae(เจ๊)
A well-known figure in Mae Sariang to whom illegal timber is allegedly sold by a smuggling syndicate.
Mr. S.(นาย ส.)
A major local contractor allegedly involved in a smuggling syndicate in Mae Hong Son.

Organization

Subdistrict Administrative Organization (อบต.)(อบต.)ℹ️
Local administrative body in Thailand, whose former mayor is allegedly involved in a smuggling syndicate.
Myanmar anti-government soldiers(ทหารฝ่ายต่อต้านรัฐบาลเมียนมา)
A faction operating in Sao Hin, Myanmar, allegedly involved in facilitating the movement of drugs and other contraband.