Two men from Buriram were carrying a gun and ample ammunition, claiming it was for self-defense due to fear of being ambushed and robbed of methamphetamine. They were caught while returning after collecting methamphetamine purchased through contacts with Laotians, seized with 6,000 meth pills. One of the suspects had served a drug-related prison sentence and was released two years ago but remains involved.
On 12 August 2026 in Buriram province, reporters reported that just after midnight on 11 August, Police Colonel Wichan Krajongpho, chief of Ban Dan Police Station, along with Police Lieutenant Colonel Suwat Nammongkol, head of the Buriram Provincial Police Narcotics Suppression Unit, led officers from this unit in coordination with Ban Dan Police Station, Narcotics Suppression teams from Border Patrol Police Company 21 and Border Patrol Police Companies 215-216, local administrative officials from Mueang Buriram District, military narcotics suppression units (NFD 22, KKT Group Suranaree), special task forces from Ranger Battalion 26, and military personnel from the Internal Security Operations Command to conduct a joint operation.
They arrested two male drug suspects: Mr. Porntep or Chang Chumponkraisorn, 26 (wearing an orange shirt), residing at house number 96, Village 8, Sakae Sam Subdistrict, Mueang District, Buriram, and Mr. Chairat or Not Puangmi, 21 (wearing a brown shirt), residing at house number 131, Village 3, Sakae Sam Subdistrict, Mueang District, Buriram. They were caught with 3 bundles of methamphetamine, approximately 6,000 pills, hidden inside Mr. Chairat's shirt at the abdomen. Officers also found a homemade .38 caliber pistol and 10 bullets at the Ban Dan traffic light intersection in Ban Dan District, Buriram.
The arrest followed an investigation revealing that the route from Satuek District through Ban Dan and Mueang District in Buriram is commonly used by local drug dealers to transport methamphetamine. Drug couriers or 'pilots' deliver drugs to customers in Satuek District and Maha Sarakham Province. Officers set up a roadblock along this route and spotted two men riding a red and white Honda Wave motorcycle, license plate 2กง 5474 Buriram. Mr. Porntep (orange shirt) was driving, with Mr. Chairat (gray shirt) as passenger. The passenger acted suspiciously, clutching his abdomen as if hiding something inside his shirt. Officers closely followed them.
When the motorcycle reached the Ban Dan traffic light, waiting officers in uniform and plainclothes signaled the vehicle to stop. The motorcycle tried to accelerate and flee but was intercepted by officers blocking the road and those pursuing closely, who apprehended the suspects. A black plastic bag containing three bundles of methamphetamine, about 6,000 pills, was found hidden inside Mr. Chairat's shirt at the abdomen. A pistol and 10 bullets were also found on the motorcycle. Both suspects were taken for further interrogation at the Buriram Provincial Narcotics Suppression Unit before being handed to Ban Dan Police Station for prosecution.
During questioning, Mr. Porntep (orange shirt) confessed that they had just collected the methamphetamine from the entrance to Non Phalai Village, Nikom Subdistrict, Satuek District, Buriram. He said he ordered the drugs from a Laotian contact via the Line app, introduced by a senior who had served time for drug offenses with him. Since his release two years ago, he has regularly ordered methamphetamine about twice a month, traveling frequently to Non Phalai Village to collect it for resale to customers in the village, spanning all ages. The retail price is 50 baht per pill, with customers buying from single pills up to whole bags sold at 3,500 baht each. The money earned was spent on daily living and drug use. Before going to collect the methamphetamine, they had each used one to two pills.
He said the firearm was for self-defense only, fearing that rival drug dealers might ambush and rob the methamphetamine they had just collected. He denied any intention to fight law enforcement, admitting that resisting arrest would be futile. He preferred to surrender, knowing that prison terms eventually end.