8 drug couriers killed in border clash, 4.5m speed pills seized

CHIANG RAI: Eight members of a drug caravan were killed and 45 rucksacks contaning 4.5 million methamphetamine pills seized following a clash with a military patrol along the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Fa Luang district in the early hours of Saturday.

The clash occurred after soldiers from the Pha Muang task force were sent to patrol the border area in Mae Fa Luang district at around 1.30am on Saturday. In a forested area at Ton Muang village in tambon Mae Salong, they spotted about 10 men carrying rucksacks and walking through a natural border crossing, Thai media reported.

The patrol signalled them to stop for a search, but the group opened fire in an attempt to escape.

The soldiers returned fire. Both sides clashed for about 10 minutes. More security forces were later deployed to the scene.

At around 5.45am, the forces carried out an inspection and found 45 rucksacks scattered over the area.

Local media reported that the rucksacks contained 4.5 million speed pills. 

A soldier points to the body of one of the eight suspected drug couriers slain during a shootout with a patrol on Saturday. (Photo: Pha Muang task force)