Chinese Youths Held After Failed Border Crossing Bid

Two 18-year-old Chinese men were arrested in Kanchanaburi late on 26 February after allegedly entering Thailand illegally while attempting to reach Myanmar to work at a scam centre. The pair were found hiding in a rubber plantation in Thong Pha Phum district after reportedly begging villagers for food. Police have charged both with being foreign nationals entering and staying in the Kingdom without permission.

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At 22.00 on 26 February 2569, Pol Maj Gen Phasavee Ruangphu, commander of Kanchanaburi Provincial Police, and Pol Col Parinya Khaikruan, superintendent of Thong Pha Phum Police Station, received a report from officers that villagers had spotted two young Chinese men asking for rice to ease their hunger. The men were said to be hiding in a rubber plantation in Ban Prang Kasi, Moo 3, Tha Khanun subdistrict, Thong Pha Phum district.

Officers used torches to search the area at night and found the pair living in the forest and appearing exhausted and only having the clothes they were dressed in. They were taken to Thong Pha Phum Police Station for questioning and identified as Mr Husi Yu, aged 18, and Mr Zhao Hai Rui, aged 18, both Chinese nationals.

Questioning was difficult as the two could not speak Thai. However, officers understood that they had travelled by car from Cambodia into Kanchanaburi province in stages using four vehicles, intending to cross illegally into Myanmar to work at a scam centre. The fourth vehicle reportedly dropped them by the roadside at Ban Prang Kasi, promising to return, but no one came back.

Fearing arrest, the pair hid in the rubber plantation and eventually sought food from villagers when they became hungry. They were subsequently detained and handed to investigators to face legal proceedings.

Authorities said the arrests come amid heightened efforts to prevent so-called “grey Chinese” scam groups from relocating operations near Phaya Tong Su in Myanmar. Since October 2025, security agencies have recorded arrests involving 45 people on highway 323.

Kanchanaburi governor Waristha Sanguansermsri, deputy governor Wutthipong Suphakwanich, provincial clerk Kamolchaya Prasertsil, and Thong Pha Phum district chief Anusorn Sangaesaeng have instructed officials to work with local hotel, resort and homestay operators. Meetings were held with Pol Col Parinya Khaikruan and Col Piyanet Phatsatsawatwong, deputy commander of the Lat Ya Task Force under Surasi Force, to urge stricter guest checks along Highway 323.

Matichon reported that a Line group has been established for rapid reporting of suspected groups, and the “Police Care” application has been promoted to help the public check warrants, fines and mule accounts. Investigations and legal proceedings against the two men are ongoing.

Key Takeaways

• Two 18-year-old Chinese nationals were arrested in Thong Pha Phum after allegedly entering Thailand illegally from Cambodia.

• Police say the pair intended to cross into Myanmar to work at a scam centre but were abandoned and later sought food from villagers.

• Authorities have intensified monitoring along Highway 323, with 45 people arrested in related cases since October 2025.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 28 Feb 2026