Eight drug suspects killed in Thailand

Eight suspected drug dealers were killed on Monday in a clash with Thai security forces who seized weapons and a large amount of illegal amphetamines, Thailand's military said. A team of police and soldiers encountered about eight to 10 suspects while on patrol in northern Chiang Rai province early on Monday, resulting in a shoot-out that lasted about 10 minutes, according to a statement. About 700,000 amphetamine pills were seized along with 55 kilos (121 pounds) of crystal methamphetamine, one AK-47 rifle, two pistols and 10 bullets, it said. There were no reports of any casualties among security forces. Thailand has seen a marked increase in seizures of methamphetamine -- which is relatively cheap and easy to make -- often smuggled from neighbouring Myanmar where armed rebels use profits from narcotics to fund their operations.