Military fatally shot 5 gang members during an attempted smuggling operation. "Drugs" into Thailand, with seized evidence found. "Methamphetamine" approximately 1,400,000 pills.
On 15 February 2026, the 3207th Ranger Company, under the 3rd Army Area Operations Center, deployed a task force along with the 4th Cavalry Company of the Chaiyanuphab Task Force to patrol, monitor, and intercept illegal activities along the Doi Chan route near Huai Nok Kok village (a satellite village of Nong Phai), Mon Pin Subdistrict, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province. Located about 2 kilometers from the border, the patrol covered over 8 kilometers on foot through mountainous forest terrain along the border. The patrol encountered approximately 10-15 suspicious individuals carrying backpacks moving along the border path. The patrol team identified themselves and requested to conduct a search.
However, the group opened fire with an unidentified firearm on the soldiers, resulting in a clash lasting about 5 minutes. The soldiers were unharmed. The unit then secured and searched the surrounding area, initially finding 14 fertilizer sacks converted into backpacks containing approximately 1,400,000 methamphetamine pills (a type 1 narcotic). They also discovered 5 deceased gang members, one firearm, and ammunition.
Major General Satit Waiyanon, Commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, assigned Colonel Meechai Nilsart, Deputy Commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, along with related agencies including the Fang District Administration, Fang Volunteer Defense Corps, Border Patrol Police 334, Youth Development Unit 35, Fang Police Station, Fang Investigation Unit, Forensic Team, Task Force 1, Fang Prosecutor, Medical personnel, and other officials to the area to hold a press briefing and provide information to the media on the seizure. Subsequently, all seized evidence was handed over to Fang Police Station to proceed with legal actions.