Ranger unit 2101 raided a resort to arrest a youth gang involved in transporting over 200 kilograms of ketamine, confessing they were hired for 300,000 baht to deliver drugs to inner areas to fund their Songkran travel. Over six months, Nakhon Phanom authorities seized more than 25 million methamphetamine pills and over 3 tons of crystal meth.
On 9 April 2026, Colonel Saranat Nuanmanee, commander of Ranger Regiment 21 and leader of the 21st Ranger Task Force, assigned Lieutenant Colonel Wanchat Muanpun, commander of Ranger Company 2101 under Task Force 21 in Ban Phang district, Nakhon Phanom, along with the anti-drug task force, to announce the results of a drug trafficking raid conducted the previous night.
After a rapid response team conducted surveillance along the Mekong Riverbank in Ban Phang Tai, Village 11, Ban Phang Subdistrict, Ban Phang district, Nakhon Phanom, they spotted a suspicious vehicle leaving a nearby area and parking at a resort. They identified and searched a Mitsubishi Pajero, license plate KT 3588 Ubon Ratchathani. Inside, they found four sacks containing drugs. Counting the contents revealed a total of 200 kilograms of ketamine, packaged in approximately 1-kilogram packs. Four youths who claimed to be with the vehicle were detained.
The suspects were identified as Patcharapol Pongputtarak, 20; Anuchita, 18; Natthapong Mongkolsupha, 20; and Phisit Usupan, 24, all from Mueang district, Mukdahan province. They were taken in for questioning.
During interrogation, they admitted being hired by a financier introduced by a friend to drive and transport drugs to inner regions, where others would take over. They were paid 300,000 baht and intended to use the money for Songkran expenses. Investigations continue to identify and prosecute other involved parties under the law.
Ketamine is classified as a Category 2 narcotic, increasingly popular among high-society groups at tourist spots, including foreign tourists. It sells for about 200,000 baht per kilogram, roughly double the price of crystal meth. The border area of Nakhon Phanom has recently seen a surge in drug trafficking. Over the past six months, authorities have seized more than 25 million methamphetamine pills, over 3 tons of crystal meth, and more than 2 tons of ketamine. Security agencies have tightened border controls during the Songkran festival.