Connect with us

Northern Thailand

Police Conduct Two Major Drug Seizures in Northern Thailand

Published

on

Police Conduct Two Major Drug Seizures in Northern Thailand

Police in northern Thailand have conducted major drug seizures, netting 551 kilogram of heroin and 8 million meth pills. The seizures were made in northern Thailand’s Phrae province on Sunday and Monday.

On Sunday, Valentine’s Day, police at the Huay Rai drug checkpoint in Phrae’s Denchai district intercepted a 10-wheel freight truck with a full load of mangoes. A search of the cargo uncovered 1,400 blocks of heroin, weighing 551kg in total. The driver, Mr Preeda Sanguanhong, 29, of Trat province, was arrested.

Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk, the national police chief said the seizure followed a week-long police investigation. Reports surfaced that a large amount of drugs would be smuggled from the northern border.

On Feb 15, at the Huay Rai checkpoint, a 10-wheel freight truck with a load of charcoal was stopped for a search. Police found 8 million meth pills hidden among the charcoal. The driver, Mr Wuthichai Nualket, 34, from Phetchabun, was arrested.

Pol Gen Suwat said the two deliveries were related. The drivers of the two freight trucks were hired by the same person, each to be paid 100,000 baht. They drove the trucks to Phayao province, where the drugs were hidden among the cargoes for delivery to Pathum Thani.

The police chief asked people to act as eyes and ears for police and provide information about drug deliveries to the drugs hotline 1599, emergency hotline 191, line@inthanon (Provincial Police Region 5 commissioner) and through the app Police I Lert U.

Drug Trade in Northern Thailand’s Golden Triangle

Thailand and its neighbours along the Mekong River have experienced a continuous expansion of drug production, trafficking and use, particularly of synthetic drugs, for the better part of a decade.

Last year, seizures of harmful methamphetamine in East and Southeast Asia reached 140 tonnes with the vast majority produced in Mynmar’s Shan State across the border from Thailand. With the rise of production there, borders with Thailand and Laos have become one of the most significant drug trafficking points in the world.

It is estimated that drug production and trafficking in the region last year generated profits of at least US$71 billion (2.2 trillion baht), with methamphetamine accounting for US$61 billion (1.9 trillion baht), four times what it was six years ago.

At this point, the production and trafficking of methamphetamine is the financial backbone of transnational organised crime groups and the armed ethnic groups they partner with. They now control control autonomous territories in Myanmar, fueling conflict and insecurity in the country and along its borders including with Thailand.

 

Continue Reading

Northern Thailand

Tubers on Pai River Draw Anger Over Inappropriate Behavior

Published

on

Tubers on Pai River

The Governor of Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand has sought stricter rules for tourist tubing on the Pai River, following allegations of tourists sneaking into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police reports and considerable criticism online.

After a resort owner in Pai protested about the existing situation of tubing activities along the Pai River, the Governor became aware of the matter. According to the accusations, wine and beer are discreetly offered to tourists while disguised in plastic water bottles to prevent detection.

After their tubing adventures, these tourists, both men and women, would walk around Pai town in their swimsuits. Men often wear one pair of swim briefs, but most women wear two-piece swimsuits or bikinis.

This behavior was considered derogatory to local culture. Recently, there were instances of tourists slipping into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police investigations and considerable online criticism.

Following the complaint, provincial governor Chuchip Pongchai requested a meeting of the police and allied authorities on July 16 to explore further tourism restrictions.

The province already restricts the selling of alcohol to tourists who go tubing, which involves floating down a river on inner tubes made of rubber tires. Most people observe the guidelines, but others, including some store owners, break them by concealing the alcohol by pouring it in water bottles.

According to TNA, Pai is one of Northern Thailand’s most popular tourist spots, attracting 40,000 visitors each year and strengthening Thailand’s economy.

Tubing in the Pai River has become a favorite activity among foreigners. However, the governor stated that the attitude of some tourists has jeopardised the province’s image.

Tourists Tubing on Pai River

People Also Reading:

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

 

Continue Reading

Northern Thailand

Pregnant Woman Goes Psycho Stabs Family Members in Phayao

Published

on

Phayao woman Arrested

Police in northern Thailand’s Phayao province have arrested a 40-year-old pregnant mother for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm.

Phayao Police report they were called after a woman and her daughter had been stabbed and beaten by a family member  to a house number 206, Soi 7, Village No. 3, Ban San Nong Niao Subdistrict. Tom, Mueang District.

When officers arrived they found Ms. Chayada Chaiyawan, age 45, and her daughter Ms. Patida Chaiyawan, age 19, with injuries to their bodies and heads. Blood was spread all over the bedroom, and they found Mrs. Sakulkarn, aged 40 years, who was a relative living next door, tied up.

The police then transported all of them to Phayao Hospital for treatment. Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice. Both also sustained head injuries, according to Phayao police.

Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice

Ms. Chayada told police the incident occurred around 4:00 a.m. She was sleeping in the room with her young son, when she heard someone opened the bedroom door. She said at that time it was still dark and all she saw a shadow of a person lifting what she though was a hammer.

She said the got up and fought until she fell after being hit in the head and stabbed with a knife, in fear for her life she screamed for her daughter to come and help. When the daughter entered the room the assailant proceeded to hit her in the head and stabbed her also.

The assailant ran out of the room and was immediately restrained by a neighbour who heard the screaming and ran into the house to help. Mrs. Sakulkarn who was 7 months pregnant was tied up and police and rescue workers were called to the scene. The neighbour told police that all the time they were waiting for the police.

Police said Mrs. Sakulkarn is being held in Hospital and is under psychiatric care. Ms. Chayada and her daughter were treated for their injuries and sent home.

According to Thai Media, Police said charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm will be filed against Mrs. Sakulkarn after she is released from Hospital.

People also reading:

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

 

 

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Northern Thailand

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province

Published

on

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province.

Five people were killed and two others badly injured when a pickup truck was hit by a north-bound train at an unguarded railway crossing in Phitchit province on Monday evening.

Phitchit police reported the horrific crash occurred around 6 pm at Moo 1 village in tambon Pak Thang of Muang district of Phitchit.

Police said the 201 passenger train from Bangkok to Phitsanulok approached the crossing, which was unguarded and had no safety barriers.

A four-door pickup truck plates drove across the tracks and into the path of oncoming the train which was was unable to stop or slowdown in time to avoid hitting the pickup truck.

The force of the crash drove the pickup about 30 metres down the railway crossing and off to the side. All passengers on the pickup were thrown from the vehicle.

Three women passengers died immediately and two more passengers died later at Phichit Hospital. Two others including the driver of the pickup were seriously injured.

Police investigators said truck driver Pratya Khongthat, 40, was taking relatives, including a 14-yea-old girl, to a funeral at Wat Ratchangkhwan in tambon Pak Thang, approximately one kilometer from the accident scene.

People Also Reading:

Bangkok-Vientiane Inaugural Train Service Launches July 19

Bangkok-Vientiane Inaugural Train Service Launches July 19

Continue Reading

Trending