Border Patrol Police Company 334 engaged in a clash with a drug trafficking operation in Mae Ai. The suspects fired shots to break through and escape, resulting in one death and the seizure of more than 14 sacks of methamphetamine pills, totaling 2.8 million tablets.
Reporters said that Border Patrol Police Company 334, in coordination with the Narcotics Suppression Unit, intercepted a drug trafficking operation in Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province, after receiving intelligence that the Ban Na Ma Uen network was preparing to transport drugs from the border area into the interior.
This operation was directed by Police Colonel Phadungkiet Pandronnokka, Commander of Border Patrol Police Region 33, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Bundit Sihakot, Deputy Commander of the same unit. They ordered Police Lieutenant Colonel Thawatchai Surinta, Deputy Commander and Commander of Border Patrol Police Company 334, along with Police Lieutenant Colonel Ananwat Rattanawichai, Company Commander, to deploy intelligence and narcotics suppression teams to conduct the interception.
At 18:09 on 16 June 2026, Police Lieutenant Korawit Duangdee, head of the operation team at Border Patrol Police Company 334, received intelligence that the Ban Na Ma Uen drug network in Mae Ai Subdistrict, Mae Ai District, planned to smuggle drugs into the interior. Around 20:30, officers spotted a suspicious vehicle, a Honda CR-V registered in Chiang Rai, on a public road near Ban Pong Hai, Moo 15, Mae Sao Subdistrict, Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai. Officers identified themselves and signaled the driver to stop for inspection.
However, the suspects inside the vehicle opened the door and fled on foot, firing a handgun at officers to create an escape path. A brief shootout ensued. After gunfire ceased, officers secured the area and conducted a thorough search.
Searching the vehicle revealed approximately 14 sacks modified for carrying drugs, believed to contain Category 1 narcotics or methamphetamine pills, totaling over 2.8 million tablets. Additionally, authorities found one 11mm handgun, the vehicle used for transport, and two mobile phones.
Later, officers discovered the body of one deceased suspect, part of the drug trafficking group, about 100 meters from the incident site.
Initially, authorities seized all evidence and subsequently handed it over to Mae Ai Police Station for forensic analysis and further investigation to identify and arrest accomplices, proceeding with legal action against those involved and pursuing suspects who fled.
