Police in Amnat Charoen have seized four million yaba pills, valued at about 200 million baht, after a Bangkok-registered van allegedly fled a checkpoint. Chanuman police stopped the vehicle following a pursuit on the Ban Hin Suea-Ban Na Yang road in Chanuman district, Amnat Charoen, during the night of 30 August. One suspect, named only as Kriangkrai, was detained. The drugs were found in 10 sacks inside the van, police said. Investigators believe the consignment was being moved from the border area towards Thailand's inner provinces. Van stopped after checkpoint chase The operation was led by Pol Col Chotinrin Suphawarat, superintendent of Chanuman Police Station. Pol Lt Col Komsan Khamwan, an investigation inspector at the station, said officers had received information that a Bangkok-plated van would be used to transport narcotics from the border. Police set up surveillance along the Ban Hin Suea-Ban Na Yang route in Chanuman subdistrict. When the suspected van approached, officers signalled for it to stop for a search. However, the driver accelerated and attempted to escape, according to police. Officers pursued the vehicle closely before managing to block it and take Kriangkrai into custody. A search uncovered the four million yaba tablets packed in 10 sacks. Yaba is the Thai term commonly used for methamphetamine tablets, a Category 1 narcotic under Thai law. Pictures courtesy of Daily News Investigation widened to find accomplices Kriangkrai has been charged with selling a Category 1 narcotic, yaba, for commercial purposes and distribution among the public. He and the seized drugs were handed to investigators at Chanuman Police Station for legal proceedings. Police said they would continue their inquiries in an effort to identify and arrest other people believed to be involved in the trafficking operation. The seizure is one of the larger drug hauls reported in the area, with police putting the value of the tablets at more than 200 million baht. Authorities have not said where the drugs originated, their intended final destination, or whether further arrests are expected to be made. AQOp-wC9wl5JxvVyz71JI-Bx03fasuUCVfCT6langvQJJ_WyBRnG8ESfNQiV7RdBinRE67LP5Pif_UQavedezk8Qd1ZzUdZWca1y3S5ZKg.mp4 Join the discussion? 31 August 2026
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