Taxi Driver Arrested in Northern Thailand With 2.2 Million Yaba Pills

Taxi Driver Arrested in Northern Thailand With 2.2 Million Yaba Pills

CHIANG RAI, May 10, 2026 — Thai police arrested a taxi driver in Chiang Rai province after seizing about 2.2 million methamphetamine pills hidden inside his vehicle during a narcotics suppression operation, authorities said on Sunday.

Police said the suspect, identified only as Apichat, 49, from Pathum Thani province, was detained on May 8 while driving along a secondary road in Pa Daet district in northern Thailand.

Authorities said the suspect appeared to be avoiding major highways in an attempt to evade detection while transporting the drugs deeper into the country.

The operation was overseen by Manop Senakul, commander of Chiang Rai Provincial Police, together with senior officers including Ratthaphon Noichangkid and Kulachat Sakdiyotinthada.

Investigators said authorities had received intelligence indicating that a large narcotics shipment would pass through Pa Daet district using local roads instead of major transport routes. Police subsequently established checkpoints and mobile interception points along the Pa Daet-Jun road to monitor suspicious vehicles.

During the operation, officers stopped a taxi that appeared to be attempting to blend in with regular traffic. A search of the vehicle uncovered nine sacks containing approximately 2,200,000 methamphetamine tablets, commonly known in Thailand as “yaba”.

The suspect was taken into custody along with the seized drugs and transferred to investigators for further questioning.

Police said the investigation would continue to identify other individuals linked to the trafficking operation and trace the wider distribution network. Authorities have not disclosed the origin or intended destination of the narcotics.

The suspect is expected to face charges under Thailand’s narcotics laws.