A Chinese man was found exhausted and injured in a forest in Sangkhlaburi district, Kanchanaburi province, after apparently fleeing from a scam operation across the Thai-Myanmar border. Villagers discovered the 33-year-old man lying in Mae Tiew forest in Moo 8, Nong Lu subdistrict, at around 7pm on June 10 and brought him to safety before alerting local authorities.
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The man was found with severe wounds on both ankles, which appeared consistent with being restrained by chains, as well as signs that he had been assaulted. Villagers transported him from the forest and informed village headman Sanan Kamsuk, who then notified district officials.
Sangkhlaburi District Chief Suriyasak Muean-uam coordinated with military personnel, police, Border Patrol Police and volunteer defence officers stationed at Nam Koek checkpoint to take the man into custody and provide assistance. Officers cleaned and treated his multiple wounds before carrying out initial questioning.
Authorities found no identification documents on the man. The only belongings recovered were a mobile phone that could not be switched on, believed to have a flat battery.
Picture courtesy of Amarin
The man was charged with entering and remaining in Thailand illegally before being handed over to investigators at Sangkhlaburi Police Station for legal proceedings. Officials believe he may have been working at a scam centre in Myanmar and suffered serious abuse before escaping across the border into Thailand.
The location where he was found is approximately 7 to 8 kilometres from the Three Pagodas Pass border area. Investigators suspect he fled from operations based in Payathonsu, a Myanmar border town opposite Sangkhlaburi.
The case follows several similar incidents in recent weeks. On May 31, three Chinese nationals, Zhong Jianzhong, 26, Zhu Zhongyan, 33, and Meng Chiangdong, 36, sought help after taking refuge at a resort near the Thai-Myanmar border. No documents were found in their possession.
On June 2, another Chinese national, Wang Qing Wei, 36, was found seeking assistance at the same resort, also without identification documents. Authorities believed all four men had escaped from Payathonsu.
Previous reports indicated that 12 Chinese nationals had attempted to escape from Payathonsu into Thailand. Two were reportedly recaptured and taken back, while 10 successfully crossed the border. Authorities believe the four Chinese nationals previously assisted and the latest case may all be part of the same group.
Amarin reoorted that officials are expected to continue investigating the man’s identity, movements and possible links to scam operations operating along the border. Further enquiries may also help determine whether additional escapees remain in the area or require assistance.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 12 June 2026