Soldiers clash with suspected drug smugglers in northern Thailand

Soldiers clashed with suspected Burmese drug smugglers at a border province in northern Thailand.

The Pha Muang Task Force officers were on a drug prevention patrol when they encountered seven individuals carrying bags through a forest in Chiang Rai province on July 19.

When the soldiers called out to the group for an inspection, the alleged smugglers reportedly opened fire before retreating to Myanmar.

They left behind five bags containing approximately one million methamphetamine pills.

Major General Prapat Phopsuwan, commander of Pha Muang Force, said: 'Three additional operation units have been dispatched to the scene to secure the area for further investigation. The Pha Muang Force adheres to government policy by intercepting drugs at the border to prevent their entry into the country.'

Thailand has become a notorious hub for drug production and trafficking. In the north of the country, the ‘Golden Triangle' area shares borders with Laos and Myanmar, and has produced large amounts of opium since the 1950s but focus in recent years has shifted to the more profitable methamphetamine.

Officials believe most of the meth is produced in the Shan State of Myanmar before being distributed through neighbouring countries where prices are higher before ending up in the most expensive markets of Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.