Drugs shipment seized in Northern Thailand

6 Jun 2011

Thai soldiers patrolling along Thailand’s far northern border last Tuesday intercepted a massive shipment of drugs. A foot patrol attached to the Pha Muang Cavalry Regiment was inspecting an area along the banks of the River Sai when they spotted a group of men with rucksacks.

The patrol challenged the men who promptly dropped their bags and fled across a shallow part of the river and disappeared into Myanmar. The soldiers searched the bags and discovered a haul of drugs that was later revealed to comprise 900,000 methamphetamine tablets and 25kgs of crystal methamphetamine (or ice).

Drugs suppression officers say the shipment would have fetched up to 150 million baht if dealers had received it and sold it to drug users. Methamphetamines are known as yaa baa in Thai, which translates as crazy drug, and until recent crackdowns made them scarce, were allegedly easily purchased.

On Wednesday morning, the interception of the drugs shipment was announced at a press conference by Pha Muang commander major General Prakan Cholayuth and the deputy governor of Chiang Rai, Surachai Linthong. They told reporters that when the drug smugglers were first seen, they were just two kilometres away from the new Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge.

The bridge is the second between the countries in Mae Sai District. The first bridge is in the nearby town of Mae Sai. As Chiang Mai is only 230kms from Mae Sai, many residents and expats travel to the bridge to cross into Myanmar for shopping or to renew permits to stay in Thailand.

Tags: Drugs shipment Northern Thailand