CHIANG RAI, Thailand – Nine suspected drug smugglers were killed in a gun battle with Thai soldiers near the Myanmar border in Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang district, with troops later recovering 272kg of crystal methamphetamine from 16 modified sacks abandoned at the scene, the Phamuang Force said.

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The clash erupted around 8.10pm on 28 September near Ban Pang Mahan, Moo 8, Thoet Thai subdistrict, where two patrol teams from the 1st Cavalry Company of Task Force Chao Tak were operating with a special intelligence unit. Soldiers spotted 15 to 17 people moving along a natural border route, each carrying a suspicious modified sack. When the troops identified themselves and moved to search the group, the suspects opened fire with unknown weapons, sparking a 10-minute exchange before the group retreated toward the frontier.

Three more teams were deployed to secure the area and watch overnight for a possible return, with no Thai casualties reported. At 6.45am on 29 September, officers swept the surroundings and found nine alleged traffickers dead along with the 16 sacks of narcotics, each holding roughly 17kg of meth for a total of about 272kg.

Maj Gen Sathit Wainon, commander of the Phamuang Force, assigned Col Suphan Roiput of Task Force Chao Tak to inspect the site at 10.30am, with relevant agencies conducting the formal examination before the drugs were handed to Mae Fah Luang Police Station for legal proceedings.

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Intelligence officials believe the consignment originated in an ethnic minority area of Wa State, Myanmar, and was being carried by ethnic Lahu hill tribe members along the border for transport deeper into Thailand. The operation is part of the Royal Thai Army’s broader border interdiction campaign, with army commander Gen Pana Klaewplodtook and Third Army Region commander Lt Gen Worathep Bunya ordering tighter surveillance and interception, and Maj Gen Sathit directing units to keep up heightened monitoring to stop drugs reaching the interior.

-Thailand News (TN)