Chanthaburi: Van smuggling Cambodians across border stopped

Immigration officers in Chanthaburi intercepted a suspicious van attempting to smuggle illegal immigrants into the country. The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 14.

The officers, led by Veerayos Karunyathorn, Deputy Commander of Immigration Division 2, and Sawat Chotiranaphas, Deputy Commander of Chanthaburi Immigration, were conducting routine checks on main and secondary roads to curb illegal immigration activities.

While patrolling Sukhumvit Road in Saenlung, Chanthaburi, the officers noticed a suspicious van and signalled for it to stop. Instead of complying, the driver attempted to flee, prompting a pursuit. The police successfully caught up with the van and searched.

The driver, identified as 43 year old Chatichai, was found transporting 12 Cambodian nationals. Among them, four did not possess passports or any valid travel documents.

Chatichai was charged with aiding and abetting illegal immigrants to evade arrest, and the van was seized as evidence. The four undocumented Cambodians were charged with entering and residing in the kingdom without permission.

They admitted to entering Thailand through natural border crossings to seek employment in the inner regions. However, they later decided to return to Cambodia and hired Chatichai for 1,100 baht to transport them from Chon Buri to Pong Nam Ron, Chanthaburi.

The police transferred the detainees and the van to the Chanthaburi Police Station for legal proceedings.

Police Lieutenant General Itthipol Ittisarnranchai, Commissioner of Immigration Bureau, and Police Major General Natthakorn Praphaynont, Commander of Immigration Division 3, have instructed Chanthaburi Immigration to heighten surveillance and inspection efforts on foreign nationals within the province and along border areas. These measures aim to consistently prevent and suppress illegal activities.

Chanthaburi Immigration emphasised its ongoing commitment to crime prevention and the eradication of illegal immigrants, alongside fostering and developing the local economy, reported KhaoSod.

In related news, a Toyota Fortuner carrying nine illegal migrant workers flipped over multiple times after attempting to evade a police checkpoint, leaving several injured.