With arrest warrants looming over their heads like a dark cloud paired with a hefty joint bounty of over 2.5 million baht, Tachin and Chamung had been orchestrating their elusive operations from Myanmar, confident in their secrecy—or so they thought. Their network stretched its insidious tendrils across borders, involving clandestine dealings and murky smuggling operations. But even master orchestrators leave behind a trail of breadcrumbs, and thanks to the joint effort of Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and Myanmar’s Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC), the trail was hot enough to burn.
Tachin Norawong, the apparent nucleus of the operation, had his fingerprints over a transnational drug smuggling empire, with a web of Thai couriers ferrying illicit substances into Thailand’s heart. His accomplice, Chamung Kantawong, was no small fish either. Together, they formed an audacious pair masterminding the movement of narcotics sourced from neighboring realms.
Their downfall began when a prior arrest on October 22, 2024, unearthed a cache of 154 kilograms of heroin artfully concealed in a van. Investigators traced the puppet strings back to Tachin. February 15 saw another wave of law enforcement activity, with the ONCB and allies rounding up three individuals hauling 500 kilograms of ‘ice’—a cunningly crafted codename for methamphetamine. Through these events, the authorities laid traps for Tachin and his comrades, finally setting the arrest warrants in motion.
Determined to eradicate the tentacles of this syndicate, ONCB executed a multi-pronged operation on March 5, targeting Tachin’s collaborators across six provinces. The coordinated raids hit the syndicate where it hurt—arresting the notorious Parkpoom and seizing assets worth a staggering 80 million baht (US$2.46 million). By June 2025, a relentless pursuit cracked open four more interconnected cases. The spoils were enormous: 609 kilograms of ice, 154 kilograms of heroin, and an eye-popping 1.3 million methamphetamine tablets were confiscated. Meanwhile, Tachin and Chamung continued their operations from afar, flaunting their defiance.
Yet, the infamous duo could not elude the grasp of justice. ONCB made them the prime focus of the annual significant drug trafficker arrest initiative, brandishing a tantalizing reward of 2.5 million baht (US$76,995) for their capture. Intelligence turned the tides on July 1, with whispers of Tachin’s whereabouts reaching the Drug Suppression Bureau’s ears.
A meticulously planned raid, orchestrated with the CCDAC’s assistance, unfolded swiftly and decisively. As the dust settled, Tachin and Chamung found themselves cornered, their hideout nothing more than a house of cards crumbling spectacularly under the weight of justice served—a momentous coup lauded by the media, including KhaoSod who reported the pivotal event with keen detail.
In the battle against global narcotics trade, alliances such as these pave the way for a more secure future. The operation was as much a victory in intelligence as it was in teamwork, proving that while criminals might run, they cannot hide—especially when both sides of a border work hand in hand.
Finally, justice is served! These criminals deserved to be caught. The drug trade causes so much harm!
I agree, Joe! It’s a relief to see them behind bars. But do you think this will stop the drug trade?
Unfortunately, probably not. Others might take their place. It’s a vicious cycle.
Some might argue their capture is just a drop in the bucket in the war on drugs. What do you think, Joe?
It’s a great example of international cooperation. Let’s hope other countries can learn from this.
True, but I wonder if such operations are effective in the long run? There are always more criminals to catch.
I don’t think stopping two guys will change anything. It’s like cutting off a single leaf of a giant tree.
Amazing work by both nations. But I worry about the impact on innocent communities in their crossfire.
That’s a valid concern. I hope they’re doing everything they can to protect civilians.
Can we trust the media on this? Sometimes these stories are just blown up to distract from real issues.
I think it depends on the source. Some media outlets do exaggerate for sensationalism.
You’re right, Maria. We should always question what we read.
Exactly. Keep questioning, folks!
Kudos to both countries! Now they should focus on rehabilitation for addicts.
Rehab is crucial. But do they have enough resources for that?
Isn’t it scary how such large operations can go unnoticed for so long?
Yes! It makes you wonder what else is under the radar.
KhaoSod did an excellent job covering this. Thumbs up for good journalism.
KhaoSod is usually detailed in their reports. They don’t miss much.
2.5 million baht is a sweet reward! I might consider becoming a bounty hunter, haha.
I hope this sends a strong message to other cartels operating in the region.
Agreed, Alan. Fear of punishment might deter them. But it’s not a foolproof strategy.
Absolutely, Samantha. It needs to be combined with other efforts.
It’s good news, but I think poverty is the root cause. If we address that, maybe the drug lure would weaken.
That’s an interesting point, Priya. Socio-economic factors play a huge role.
How do they even manage to traffic such huge amounts without getting caught till now?
Corruption! It’s always about corrupted border officials who turn a blind eye.
We need more transparent international policies against drug trade. Comments?
Transparency is key, Ava. But implementing it is the real challenge.
Great capture! Now let’s hope the judicial system doesn’t drop the ball.