‘Drug smugglers’ killed in clash with Thai soldiers near Myanmar border

Acting secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board Phanurat Lukboon, third right, talks to reporters as bags containing methamphetamine pills are displayed during a news conference in Chiang Rai province, Thailand (Office Of The Narcotics Control Board via AP)

Fifteen suspected drug smugglers are dead and about two million methamphetamine tablets have been seized in northern Thailand, near the Myanmar border, after a shootout with Thai soldiers, officials said.

Saturday night’s clash came after the local army got a tip there would be smuggling activity near the border in Chiang Rai province, said Phanurat Lukboon, acting secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board.