The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECSD), in collaboration with the Naresuan Task Force and Mae Sot Police Station, intercepted the illegal transport of high-capability FPV drones intended for shipment across the Myanmar border amid concerns over national security. They arrested a Myanmar man who continues to deny involvement, claiming he was merely the recipient of the goods.
On 21 July 2026, Pol. Lt. Gen. Natsak Chawanesai, Commissioner of the Crime Suppression Division, ordered Pol. Maj. Gen. Tatsapoom Jaruprat, Commander of ECSD, Pol. Col. Naruephon Karuna, Superintendent of Division 2 ECSD, and Pol. Lt. Patipan Bunsuk, Investigator of Division 2 ECSD, to join forces with the Naresuan Task Force, Ratchamanu Special Task Force, and Mae Sot Police officers in Tak Province. They arrested 28-year-old Myanmar national Min Ni Jaw and seized four fully assembled FPV drones, seven drone frames pending assembly, and a total of 16 items including motors, drone cameras, control circuit boards, and antennae. The arrest took place at a restaurant on the Asia Road in Mae Sot Subdistrict, Mae Sot District, Tak Province.
This arrest followed reports received by Division 2 of ECSD about the illegal smuggling of FPV drones into Mae Sot District, Tak Province, for onward shipment to Myanmar, with unclear motives. Because these drones pose risks to national security, authorities conducted a search of a transport company and found two suspicious parcels sent from Chiang Mai Province awaiting delivery to the specified destination.
The arrest team tracked the suspicious parcels to Min Ni Jaw, who was identified as the recipient. Upon inspection, the two parcels contained drones and numerous spare parts originating from abroad, constituting a violation of customs law. When asked to present import documents, Min Ni Jaw could not provide any. Consequently, authorities arrested him and seized the drones. A further search of his lodging uncovered an additional parcel containing another drone.
In interrogation, the suspect denied ownership, claiming he was only the recipient acting on behalf of another. He said that after receiving the parcels, a driver would collect them; he did not know the person and was unaware of the contents. He also stated he received no payment. Authorities remained doubtful of his statements and charged him with "concealing, selling, transporting, buying, pledging, or receiving goods known to have entered or exited the kingdom without customs clearance," a violation of the Customs Act. He was detained with the seized items and handed over to Mae Sot Police Station for prosecution and further investigation.
The seized drones are FPV (First-Person View) drones, a type of unmanned aerial vehicle that streams live video from an onboard camera to the pilot. These drones represent advanced technology with higher capabilities than typical commercial drones, including greater speed, enhanced signal transmission, and the ability to operate in complex environments. Thus, this seizure not only blocks illegal smuggling but also disrupts a potential threat to national security, a critical mission to maintain stability along the country’s border areas.