Rangers clash with drug smugglers in Mae Ai, Chiang Mai

MGR Online•Society•21m ago

Reader Briefing

Thai rangers clashed with a drug smuggling gang in Mae Ai, Chiang Mai, seizing 150,000 meth tablets and nearly 20 kg of raw opium.

•A clash occurred between security forces and a smuggling group of 3-5 people on July 19 at 05:30.
•The incident took place at a natural crossing in Ban Pang Nai, Malika Subdistrict, Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai.
•Security forces seized 150,000 methamphetamines (Y-1 and 999 symbols), 17.6 kg of raw opium, and one cap gun.
•The smugglers escaped the scene using limited visibility and local knowledge.

•Col. Amnat Wachirasaksophana, Commander of the Chaiyanupap Special Task Force, received intelligence from the Pha Muang Force Special Intelligence Unit regarding drug trafficking from a neighboring country.
•Col. Amnat Wachirasaksophana assigned Col. Kitti Najai to organize surveillance, leading Lt. Phairot Khamenkit and two operational units to patrol the area.
•On July 19 at 05:30, the operational units encountered a drug smuggling group of approximately 3-5 people.
•The drug smuggling group opened fire on the security forces, resulting in a clash that lasted approximately 5 minutes.
•The drug smuggling group escaped the area after the clash ended, utilizing limited visibility and familiarity with the terrain.
•Security forces recovered two bags containing 100,000 Y-1 meth tablets, 50,000 999 meth tablets, and 11 packages of raw opium totaling 17.6 kg.
•Col. Somjet Phonprasert, Deputy Commander of the Chaiyanupap Special Task Force, held a press conference before handing the evidence to Mae Ai Police Station for legal proceedings.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Chaiyanupap Special Task Force(ฉก.ไชยานุภาพ)

The security unit that conducted the operation and seized narcotics in Mae Ai.

Pha Muang Force(กองกำลังผาเมือง)

The parent force overseeing border security and intelligence operations in the area.

Mae Ai Police Station(สภ.แม่อาย)

The police station receiving the seized narcotics for legal processing.

Mae Ai(แม่อาย)

The district in Chiang Mai where the drug smuggling clash occurred.

Ban Pang Nai(บ้านปางใน)

The village area where the natural crossing for drug smuggling is located.

Malika Subdistrict(ตำบลมะลิกา)

The subdistrict in Mae Ai District where the incident occurred.

Chiang Mai Province(จ.เชียงใหม่)ℹ️

The province where the drug seizure operation took place.

Col. Amnat Wachirasaksophana(พ.อ.อำนาจ วชิรศักดิ์โสภานะ)

Commander of the Chaiyanupap Special Task Force.

Col. Kitti Najai(พ.อ.กิตติ นาใจ)

Commander of the Ranger Control Command, Army Region 3 Operation Center, Pha Muang Force.

Lt. Phairot Khamenkit(ร.ท.ไพโรจน์ เขม้นกิจ)

Head of Ranger Company 3206.

Col. Somjet Phonprasert(พ.อ.สมเจตน์ ผลประเสริฐ)

Deputy Commander of the Chaiyanupap Special Task Force.