Border Patrol Unit 12 officers conducting strict patrols along the Ban Ta Phraya border in Sa Kaeo province discovered a mysterious drone that had been burned, heavily damaged, and crashed by Sri Phen Road. They quickly collected the wreckage for investigation to identify its owner and origin, fearing possible involvement in illegal activities.
On 14 May 2026, reporters reported that Border Patrol Police Mobile Unit 12, specifically Company Task Force 3, deployed a team of personnel on foot patrol in their assigned area along the Ban Ta Phraya border, Village 1, Ta Phraya Subdistrict, Ta Phraya District, Sa Kaeo province. Sergeant Ekachai Pornchan, deputy leader of Border Patrol Platoon 1253, led the team.
This mission was part of measures to monitor and prevent illegal activities that could affect national security, especially issues related to illegal border crossings, movements of transnational scam networks, trafficking of narcotics, weapons, counterfeit goods, smuggled items, and unauthorized export of fuel beyond the country.
Officers patrolled from Patrol Checkpoint 16 to Patrol Checkpoint 17 along the Ban Ta Phraya border area, which is a key surveillance zone due to natural routes and pathways connecting to neighboring countries’ borders.
During their duties, officers discovered a suspicious object resembling an unmanned aerial vehicle lying along Sri Phen Road behind the Border Patrol Company 12 base. Upon detailed inspection, it was found to be a single drone, severely burned with some parts melted and unusable, and no owner was identified in the area.
Preliminary investigation could not determine who owned the drone or its specific mission. Officials have not ruled out possibilities that it was used for unauthorized border surveillance, smuggling illegal goods, or unauthorized flight, as the area is near the border and under security surveillance.
After inspection, officers collected the drone wreckage as evidence and handed it over to the Command of Company Task Force 3 for detailed examination, including checking device serial numbers, data recording systems, and electronic components to trace its origin, owner, and intended use.