Officers from the Fifth Immigration Bureau in Chiang Rai, Thailand, in collaboration with other law enforcement, arrested Thai nationals Thakdanai (36) and Lao Kee (44), along with four Chinese citizens: C (44), T (20), N (30), and L (21). During the arrest, two pickup trucks and two mobile phones were seized.
Case Details: Immigration Bureau Receives Distress Call
The Thai Immigration Bureau received an emergency hotline call from the Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai, reporting that a Chinese citizen in Village No. 7, Dongxila Town, Wiang Chai District, Chiang Rai, called for help, claiming to have been physically assaulted and severely restricted in personal freedom.
Immigration officials quickly investigated and found all suspects confined inside a house. The two Thais claimed to be the homeowners, while the four Chinese had no legal entry documents.
Suspects' Confession: Cross-border Transport and Scams
The Thai suspects stated that they were hired to transport foreigners from Wiang Chiang District in Chiang Rai to Nan Province across the Thai-Lao border, conducting four trips, transporting 4 to 6 people each time, with wages ranging from 1000 to 2000 Thai Baht per person. The Chinese suspects claimed they were deceived into working in Laos and then hired a guide to flee to Thailand.
However, fearing they had not successfully escaped and might be tracked and harmed, they decided to seek help from Chinese officials.
After investigation, the Thai police confirmed that these four Chinese entered the country illegally without valid documents and were suspected of involvement in transnational criminal activities. All suspects have been legally charged, and the case is still being processed.
This incident has once again raised concerns about transnational crime, illegal immigration, and personal safety issues. The police stated that they would continue to strengthen law enforcement to combat such illegal activities and ensure social order and safety.
