Three African men were arrested after illegally crossing from Cambodia into Thailand near Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo province, after allegedly fleeing employment linked to Chinese-backed operators in Poipet.
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On 16 June 2026, the Burapha Task Force, led by the Khlong Hat Task Force and Ranger Company 13, carried out a border patrol with local administrative officials in Phan Suek subdistrict, Aranyaprathet district. During the operation, officers spotted three foreign men walking across the Thai-Cambodian border through a natural crossing near Ban Non Phatthana, Moo 13.
Authorities stopped and questioned the men, discovering that all three were African nationals and were unable to produce travel documents or evidence of lawful entry into Thailand. They were taken into custody for further investigation.
During initial questioning, the three men gave similar accounts. They said they had been lured to Cambodia nearly a year earlier to work for a group of Chinese investors. When they later wanted to return to their home country, they found they were unable to do so.
The men told investigators they jointly hired an unidentified Cambodian man to help them escape across the border into Thailand. Each reportedly paid US$500, for assistance. Their intention was to use Thailand as a transit route to return home.
Before they could continue their journey, Thai patrol officers detected and detained them during the border operation. The three men have been charged with illegal entry into the Kingdom. They were transferred to investigators at Khlong Nam Sai Police Station for legal proceedings.
Authorities said they will conduct a detailed examination of the men’s backgrounds and are working to confirm their real names and nationality. The investigation will look at all circumstances to determine whether they qualify as victims of human trafficking or transnational labour recruitment fraud. Relevant agencies are expected to be involved in the assessment and any assistance process that may follow.
Workpoint reported that the case comes amid continued efforts by Thai authorities to strengthen surveillance and enforcement along the eastern border. Officials said border monitoring measures would remain intensive as part of wider efforts to combat illegal crossings, trafficking networks and labour-related scams operating in the region.
Pictures courtesy of workpoint
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Workpointnews 17 June 2026
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