Crime Notorious Drug Lord Captured After Shootout With Police

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The dramatic saga of one of western Thailand’s most elusive drug traffickers came to an end on the night of 18 July, when police arrested Prawit “Keng Dan Chang”, following a gun battle in Kanchanaburi province. Keng, who had repeatedly evaded previous attempts to capture him, was wounded in the leg during the confrontation and taken into custody alongside two accomplices.

 

The joint operation was led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Watcharin Prasopdee, Chief of Suphan Buri Provincial Police, and Pol. Col. Peera Asawapiboonphon, Superintendent of the Provincial Investigation Division. Acting on intelligence, police units from Suphan Buri and Kanchanaburi coordinated a raid on a house in Moo 9, Yang Muang Subdistrict, Tha Maka District, where Keng was believed to be hiding.

 

Keng, wanted on multiple drug-related charges, opened fire on officers in an attempt to escape. Police returned fire in self-defence, hitting him in the right leg. Officers arrested him and two alleged associates, identified only as Sarawut (alias “Ko”) and Apichat (alias “Ta”) and seized 8,800 methamphetamine pills and a firearm.

 

Keng Dan Chang has long been considered a major figure in the regional drug trade, with suspected links to a wide-reaching narcotics network operating in Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi and nearby provinces. Previous efforts to detain him were unsuccessful, allegedly due to insider tip-offs and a local network of up to 80 drug users and runners.

 

In June, officers raided a house in Moo 2, Nikom Krasaeo Subdistrict, Dan Chang District, where they seized over 32,000 meth pills, 102.82 grams of crystal meth and 13 firearms, but Keng escaped, leaving behind his 61-year-old mother, who was arrested at the scene.

 

On 6 July, police attempted to intercept Keng again on Highway 333 in Suphan Buri during a suspected drug drop. Despite three police teams blocking the road, Keng allegedly shot at officers and fled into nearby forested hills. One of his men was shot and injured during that encounter. Authorities recovered 4,000 meth pills, a large packet of ketamine and two guns, including an Uzi-style submachine gun.

 

After years of evading justice, Keng Dan Chang’s luck finally ran out. He is now receiving medical treatment under police custody, pending prosecution. His arrest marks a major success for narcotics suppression forces in the region.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from khaosod 2025-07-20