A drug smuggler was killed in a clash with the Pha Muang Task Force in the northern border province of Chiang Rai on Sunday during which 60,030 methamphetamine pills were seized.

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Col Tanadpol Kosaisawe, commander of Pha Muang's 3rd Cavalry Regiment, said the clash occurred when a team of soldiers was patrolling forest areas in Chiang Rai's Mae Fah Luang district at about 5am. 

The soldiers came across two men on two motorcycles. The first motorcycle did not stop for inspection, kept on speeding and escaped, while the man on the other motorbike started firing at the soldiers.

During an exchange of fire, the gunman was hit.

Next to the gunman the soldiers found a backpack containing 60,030 speed pills with an estimated street price of 18 million baht, 35 rounds of ammunition for AKA assault rifles, and a bottle of gun oil.

Col Tanadpol said drug gangs in Mae Fah Luang and Mae Sai districts smuggled narcotics from a neighbouring country and authorities were able to catch them regularly.

The gunman who was killed in the shooting was from an Akha hill tribe. Police are trying to track down his accomplice.

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