Chiang Rai Marine Police intercepted a large shipment of 10 million methamphetamine pills along the Mekong River in Chiang Saen, valued at approximately 350 million baht, and are urgently investigating to track down the perpetrators and their drug networks for prosecution.
On 19 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiphan, Navy spokesperson, stated that at about 02:00 on 19 August 2026 GMT+7, the Chiang Rai sector of the Mekong Riverine Peacekeeping Unit (Marine Police) conducted an operation to intercept drug trafficking along the Mekong Riverbank at Ban Tha Khan Thong, Ban Saeo Subdistrict, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province. During the operation, officers found one Mitsubishi vehicle with sacks containing suspicious items. The suspects escaped under cover of darkness during the inspection. Upon checking, the sacks contained 34 bags of Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine), totaling approximately 10 million pills, valued at around 350 million baht based on an average price of 35 baht per pill. The seized methamphetamine and vehicle were taken to the Chiang Rai Marine Police Command for counting and detailed forensic examination. Evidence was collected and coordination with relevant agencies is ongoing to urgently investigate, trace the perpetrators and drug networks, and prosecute them according to the law.
The Navy spokesperson said that this seizure was the result of continuous surveillance and intelligence operations by the Chiang Rai Marine Police. This interception prevented a massive amount of drugs from entering inland areas, helping to reduce the impact on the public, society, and national security. The quantity and value of the seized items are preliminary estimates; further details will be provided after official counting and forensic verification.
