CHIANG RAI: A drug courier was shot dead as he tried to flee arrest in Doi Luang district early on Tuesday morning.
Officials said 6.1 million methamphetamine pills in 30 sacks were found on his pickup truck.
The dead man was identified as Anucha Pakit-udom, 25, a local resident in tambon Rim Khong of Chiang Khong district.
Officials said that acting on information they had followed the silver Mitsubishi pickup truck he was driving through Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong districts. There was a motorcycle travelling ahead of the vehicle, apparently acting as a lookout.
In tambon Nong Pa Kor of Doi Luang district they had signalled for the vehicle to stop. Anucha had then fired gunshots at the team of soldiers and police and tried to escape.
After a brief exchange of shots, Anucha fell dead. However, other suspects travelling with him escaped.
The dead man was believed to be working for a drug network based in tambon Rim Khong of Chiang Khong district.