Chinese Scam Gang ‘Interpreter’ Arrested on 12 Warrants

Police have arrested a 32-year-old Thai man accused of acting as an interpreter for a Chinese-run scam network linked to human trafficking, with 12 arrest warrants issued against him. The suspect, identified as Worawut, was detained on 1 March 2026 opposite Future Park shopping centre on Phahonyothin Road in Prachathipat, Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani. He faces charges including jointly deceiving, threatening, using force or unlawful coercion to send people outside the Kingdom and unlawfully placing them under the control of others.

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The arrest was led by Pol Col Chaiyathipoom Amnuaychai, superintendent of Division 5, Crime Suppression Division, and Pol Lt Col Panumas Saengbuakhao, deputy superintendent of Division 5. The warrants include one issued by Sa Kaeo Provincial Court, No. J.338/2565, dated 5 May 2022, along with 11 others, all in similar cases.

The case stems from an operation on 10 April 2022, when Thai police coordinated with Cambodian authorities to rescue 24 Thai nationals from a Chinese employer in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The victims were later returned to Sa Kaeo province. Investigators said evidence gathered after the rescue led to the issuance of the warrants.

According to victim statements, Worawut played a key role throughout the operation, from recruitment to on-site control. He allegedly posted job advertisements on Facebook to lure Thai nationals to work in Cambodia, where their mobile phones were confiscated, contact with family cut off, and agreed wages withheld.

Police said the suspect also acted as an interpreter, translating and relaying direct orders from Chinese employers while supervising the Thai victims. The victims were allegedly forced to meet daily fraud targets of 30,000–50,000 baht. Strict rules were imposed, including a ban on using the toilet for more than 12 minutes, with a fine of US$10 per minute for exceeding the limit.

Authorities said that during the joint Thai-Cambodian raid, the suspect attempted to obstruct the rescue by telling victims the officers were “fake police” who would sell them on, in an effort to prevent their release.

Thaitabloid reported that during questioning, Worawut confessed to working as an interpreter for the Chinese employers, earning 25,000–30,000 baht per month for communicating and issuing instructions to the Thai workers. He denied recruiting victims, stating he was solely responsible for translation duties. He has been handed over to Aranyaprathet Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Picture courtesy of Thaitabloid

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 2 Mar 2026