Six drug smugglers killed in gunfight in northern Thailand

Six suspected drug smugglers were killed in a gunfight with an army patrol near Thailand’s northern border in the Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai. The incident, which took place on September 6 night, also led to the seizure of approximately 1.3 million speed pills.

The confrontation began around 11.15pm when soldiers on patrol near a natural border crossing spotted a group of seven to 10 individuals carrying rucksacks. Upon signalling the group to stop, the men opened fire, prompting the soldiers to retaliate. The exchange of gunfire lasted about 10 minutes, according to General Narit Thawornwong, commander of the drug suppression unit in the northern border areas.

“The soldiers returned fire and shooting from both sides continued for about 10 minutes.”

Following the clash, troops secured the area overnight, with a more thorough inspection planned for yesterday morning. Upon returning to the scene, soldiers discovered the bodies of six men in a forested area near the Huai Nam Yen crossing.

Alongside the bodies were modified rucksacks filled with speed pills, said Gen. Narit.

“A total of 13 rucksacks, each containing about 100,000 pills, were found scattered around the area.”

In addition to the drugs, the soldiers found a shotgun, cartridges for shotguns, and AK-47 rifles at the scene, reported Bangkok Post.

In related news, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) arrested a Thai woman at a coffee shop in Bangkok for smuggling drugs from Thailand to South Korea.

The 26 year old woman, named Kanokwan, was wanted by the police for her involvement in a recent ketamine smuggling operation.

The case came to light when the ONCB joined forces with the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) and National Police Agency (KNPA) to seize ketamine powder hidden in containers labelled as powder bottles.

The powder bottles were packed and prepared for delivery to South Korea but the police intervened in time. An investigation was then conducted to identify the suspects involved.