Myanmar Hands Over Nine Thai Fugitives at Mae Sai

Myanmar authorities have handed over nine Thai nationals wanted on arrest warrants, including three people described as key figures in transnational drug trafficking networks.

The suspects were transferred to Thai officials on 10 September 2026 at the first permanent border crossing over the Sai River in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai, for prosecution in Thailand.

The handover was received by Pol Lt Col Suriya Singkamol, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), Chiang Rai governor Choocheep Phongchai, and other agencies.

Myanmar's delegation was led by Brig Gen Tat Lwin Maung, joint secretary of Myanmar's Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC).

Three named as major drug suspects

All nine suspects are Thai nationals who had allegedly fled to live in Myanmar while wanted in Thailand, according to the ONCB.

Seven face drug-related charges. Of those, three were identified as major targets on the ONCB's wanted list: Chonnat, 44, whose surname has been withheld and who is wanted under a Chiang Rai Provincial Court warrant; Boy, 42, surname withheld, wanted under a Criminal Court warrant; and Kulaporn, 35, surname withheld, also wanted under a Criminal Court warrant.

The remaining suspects are wanted in other criminal cases.

Thai authorities said the operation followed an upgrade in cooperation between the Thai and Myanmar governments against transnational crime and narcotics trafficking. The suspects were returned so they could face legal proceedings in Thailand.

Cross-border intelligence cooperation

Suriya thanked Myanmar authorities and partner agencies for investigating and pursuing drug trafficking groups that had escaped arrest warrants by taking refuge in neighbouring countries.

He said the handover demonstrated the practical effectiveness of intelligence-sharing and joint work between the two countries.

The ONCB said it would continue its "drug eradication operation" both inside and outside Thailand, with the aim of dismantling transnational narcotics networks.

Members of the public can report drug information around the clock through the ONCB's 1386 hotline. The agency said callers' information would be kept strictly confidential.

Pictures courtesy of Naewna

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11 September 2026