The National Police Chief visited Chiang Dao district in Chiang Mai to inspect a clash with drug traffickers, where one suspect was fatally shot. He also encouraged the police to perform their duties with determination and strength.
On 13 Nov 2026, Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deepho, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, revealed that at 22:30 the previous night, National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Samran Nuanma, accompanied by Pol. Lt. Gen. Nopasil Poolsawat, Immigration Bureau Chief; Pol. Lt. Gen. Prachya Prasansuk, Commander of Provincial Police Region 5; Pol. Maj. Gen. Thawatchai Pongwiwatnchai, Deputy Commander of Region 5; Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deepho, Police Spokesperson; Pol. Maj. Gen. Theerachai Chamnanmo, Deputy Commander of the Police Forensic Science Office; Pol. Maj. Gen. Yutthana Kaenchan, Chiang Mai Provincial Police Commander; and Pol. Maj. Gen. Decho Sosuwanakul, Immigration Commander Region 5, inspected the site of a police clash with drug traffickers on the Arunothai–Chai Prakan route at about 18:00 the previous day, in Na Wai Police Station area, Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai.
The incident originated from a tip-off received by the arrest team around 16:00 the previous day, reporting that drugs would be transported via the Arunothai–Chai Prakan route, which was then reported to superiors.
Subsequently, Police Lieutenant Chaisak Khueankhan, Deputy Inspector of Crime Suppression at Na Wai Police Station, received orders to lead forces to set up a checkpoint on the Arunothai–Chai Prakan route. At about 18:00, a man riding a motorcycle approached the checkpoint but turned back to evade it. Police pursued him and found that he stopped his motorcycle and fled into a garden carrying a backpack. Officers chased him, after which he drew a gun and fired at the police. Officers returned fire once, fatally wounding the man at the scene.
At the scene, officers found a homemade short shotgun, four shotgun shells, 1,000 methamphetamine pills, and one motorcycle.
The National Police Chief praised and encouraged all officers at Na Wai Police Station for their strong and courageous performance in intercepting and suppressing drug trafficking. He also stressed the importance of regularly practicing tactics and operational plans to maintain readiness, ensuring effective duty performance and safety for both the public and officers.
