Thailand: Border police clash with Laotian drug traffickers April 5

Event

A Thai police unit clashed with a group of armed men on the border with Laos on Thursday, April 5, seizing a significant amount of synthetic drugs (methamphetamines). Thailand's Border Patrol Police exchanged gunfire in the early hours of the day with the smugglers, who had crossed the Hueang River from Laos into Thai territory in the Tha Li district of Loei province, about 540 km (335 mi) northeast of Bangkok. The drug traffickers managed to cross back into Laotian territory. No casualties were reported.

Advice

As a reminder, possession of even very small quantities of drugs can lead to imprisonment in Thailand. Individuals found guilty of being in possession of marijuana may receive a long prison sentence and/or a heavy fine. On a separate note, not all land border crossings into Laos are open to foreign nationals; travelers may need a visa to cross the border.