The Army disclosed that Pha Muang forces clashed to intercept a drug smuggling operation along the Mae Sai border in Chiang Rai province, seizing over 6 million methamphetamine pills. They also identified one additional Myanmar suspect in the area.
On the afternoon of 30 January 2026, the Army spokesperson reported that the Army received information from the Third Army Area Operations Center. Personnel from the 3rd Cavalry Company, Special Task Force Thap Jaotak, Pha Muang Task Force, while on patrol to prevent and intercept violations under the Narcotics Act near Ban Huai Nam Rin, Village No. 7, Wiang Pang Kham Subdistrict, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai, detected a suspicious group of about 30-35 people carrying modified straw sacks moving stealthily along the Thailand-Myanmar border terrain. When approached for inspection, the group fired unknown firearms at the soldiers, leading to a five-minute clash. The suspects then used their knowledge of the terrain to escape. Thai forces were unharmed, but the status of the opposing group’s casualties remains unknown.
Simultaneously, the unit deployed two additional teams to secure and examine the scene, discovering 30 modified straw sacks, each containing approximately 200,000 methamphetamine pills, totaling about 6 million pills. They also found one more Myanmar suspect in the area who confessed to working with a group of about 30 people to transport drugs from Ban Pa Sak, Myanmar, and stated he was paid 15,000 baht for the job. Authorities detained the suspect and seized all evidence, preparing to hand them over to the police for legal action.
The Army affirmed the readiness of border defense forces to continuously protect sovereignty and prevent all forms of illegal activities along the border to enhance security and safeguard the local people to the fullest extent. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities or unusual movements immediately to local military units.