In Tak province, police announced the arrest of a former multiple-term subdistrict headman and associates who had modified secret compartments in vehicles to transport drugs, seizing 750,000 methamphetamine pills.
At 14:00 on 20 Oct 2026, at the multipurpose area in front of Mueang Tak Police Station, Nong Luang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Tak province, Police Lieutenant General Worawat Mali, Commander of Provincial Police Region 6, together with Mr. Thanwa Phudphong, Director of the Office of Narcotics Control Board Region 6, Mr. Praderm Dechayanbancha, Deputy Governor of Tak province, Police Major General Songphon Sangkasem, Commander of Tak Provincial Police, Major General Ruangdet Fupinwong, Commander of Military Circle 310, and other relevant officials held a press conference. They announced the arrest of a former multiple-term subdistrict headman from Phetchabun province involved in smuggling 750,000 methamphetamine pills. The arrest occurred at the grounds of Manee Banphot Worawihan Temple, Rahaeng Subdistrict, Mueang District, Tak province.
On 18 Oct 2026, the Office of Narcotics Control Board Region 6 notified the Narcotics Suppression Center of Tak Provincial Police via Police Lieutenant Colonel Chatchai Sutthana, Deputy Superintendent of Mueang Tak Police Station and acting head of the Narcotics Suppression Center, that a suspicious gray Nissan Navara pickup truck with Surin province license plates had traveled from Chiang Rai province into Tak province. Police from Mueang Tak station were directed to investigate and monitor the vehicle within their jurisdiction. They located the truck parked at Manee Banphot Worawihan Temple in Mueang District, Tak. Coordination followed with the Office of Narcotics Control Board Region 6 and the Narcotics Suppression Division 3, Bureau of Narcotics Suppression, to plan an operation. Surveillance teams were assigned to observe and confirm the criminal activity.
Later, a black Toyota Vigo pickup truck with Phetchabun province license plates entered the area near Manee Banphot Worawihan Temple. The driver was Mr. Buarut Khamin, with Mr. Suchart Prangam as front passenger. Former subdistrict headman Mr. Surasak, accompanied by a locksmith, also arrived at the scene.
The arresting officers identified themselves and questioned the three men, whose behavior aroused suspicion. The locksmith was asked to open the gray Nissan Navara pickup truck, revealing 750,000 methamphetamine pills hidden in modified secret compartments on the truck bed’s side and inside the spare tire.
Mr. Surasak confessed to being hired to transport methamphetamine, accepting 20,000 baht to move the drugs from Tak to Kamphaeng Phet province. He stated that he hired Mr. Suchart and Mr. Buarut to assist in transporting the drugs. Further investigation included searching the suspect's home and seizing a six-wheeled truck registered in Ratchaburi province, modified with secret compartments for transporting methamphetamine. The suspect admitted that this truck had previously been used to transport one million methamphetamine pills.
Authorities charged the suspects with "joint possession of Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute for commercial purposes, causing widespread distribution among the public and impacting the security of the state and the safety of the general population."
Mr. Surasak previously served as the subdistrict headman of Subpeeb Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Wang Pong district, Phetchabun province. He was repeatedly elected, most recently at the end of 2021 CE, and was recently defeated in the 2025 Subdistrict Administrative Organization election.