In a violent encounter at the Thai-Myanmar border, Thai soldiers killed 15 suspected drug smugglers, officials reported.
The confrontation took place on Saturday evening, December 16, 2023, in the remote Mae Fah Luang district of Chiang Rai province, a known smuggling hotspot in the region colloquially termed the “Golden Triangle,” where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos converge.
Acting Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, Phanurat Lukboon, detailed that the clash followed a tip-off about potential smuggling activities.
Thai soldiers encountered a group of around 20 people carrying backpacks. When the soldiers identified themselves and requested to inspect the bags, the group reportedly opened fire, prompting the deadly exchange. The skirmish lasted about 10-15 minutes, with no casualties reported among the Thai forces. Five of the smugglers survived the exchange.
Officials discovered 17 backpacks, believed to be made from fertilizer sacks, at the scene. These bags contained over 2 million methamphetamine tablets, intensifying concerns about the region’s role in drug trafficking. The identities of the 15 deceased individuals and the origins of the drugs are still under investigation, with no arrests made to date.
Myanmar has been identified as a significant source of illegal narcotics, exacerbated by the political and social turmoil following the 2021 military coup that deposed the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. This political instability has led to an increase in drug production.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in its 2023 Southeast Asia Opium Survey, recently declared Myanmar as the world’s leading opium producer, surpassing Afghanistan.
Thailand’s efforts to combat drug smuggling have been ongoing. Just days prior to this incident, Thai officials announced the seizure of a record 50 million methamphetamine tablets in the western province of Kanchanaburi, also near the Myanmar border. These efforts are part of a broader regional challenge, with drug routes stretching through Thailand to Malaysia and beyond, involving various types of narcotics, including methamphetamine, crystal meth, and heroin.