The suspects, who were later found to be tranporting drugs, were identified as Thanwa Thimmek, 22, a Hua Hin resident, Sornchai Khanthong, 35, from Surat Thani, and Supaporn Wiswpas, 35, from Ayutthaya.
They were arrested at a hotel in Tambon Mae Sai in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district they were allegedly trying to hide from troops following a car chase.
Troops from the Third Cavalry Taskforce at a checkpoint in Tambon Koh Chai of Mae Sai district spotted two suspect vehicles approaching the checkpoint, so they signalled for them to stop. But the vehicles – a pickup and a car – sped past the checkpoint, prompting troops to give chase.
The vehicles were later found at the hotel. After 180,000 meth pills were found inside the vehicles, troops checked the hotel’s guests and arrested the three suspects.