Myanmar Driver Held With Six Chinese at Border

Thai security officials arrested a Myanmar driver and six Chinese nationals at a checkpoint in Kanchanaburi in the early hours of 18 February 2026. Officers stopped a Toyota Corolla with Kanchanaburi plates at the joint checkpoint at Sam Yaek Thong Pha Phum on Highway 323, Thong Pha Phum–Sangkhlaburi Road. Authorities suspect the group was attempting to cross into Myanmar and may be linked to a scam network operating across the border.

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The arrests were reported at 01.00am to Kanchanaburi Governor Warittha Sanguansermsri, Maj Gen Nattapong Asawinwong of the 9th Infantry Division at Surasee Camp, and Pol Maj Gen Pasawee Ruangphu, commander of Kanchanaburi Provincial Police. The checkpoint is located in Moo 1, Tha Khanun subdistrict, Thong Pha Phum district. Officers involved included police from Thong Pha Phum Police Station, soldiers from the Lat Ya Task Force under the Surasee Force, Border Patrol Police Company 135 and local administrative officials.

Police identified the driver as Mr Jo, 40, a Myanmar national with no surname provided. The six passengers were Chinese men, most described as a teenager and young adults: Luo Yongchang, 19; Chen Jinhao, 26; Xie Zhijie, 21; Han Song, 20; Wang Youding, 29, who held a Taiwan passport; and Cao Tai, 27. Officers found 25 mobile phones, one notebook computer, two keyboards and one mouse inside the vehicle, which were seized as evidence.

Mr Jo was charged with assisting, concealing or otherwise helping foreign nationals who had illegally entered Thailand to evade arrest. The six Chinese nationals face multiple charges, including entering and remaining in the Kingdom without permission, remaining after permission had expired, entering or exiting the Kingdom outside authorised immigration checkpoints, and forgery of official stamps.

Authorities believe the group was heading towards Phaya Tong Su in Myanmar, opposite the Three Pagodas Pass area in Nong Lu subdistrict, Sangkhlaburi district, Kanchanaburi province. Officials suspect they intended to work with a scam gang based approximately 20–30 kilometres inside Myanmar territory.

Khoasod reported that all suspects were taken to Thong Pha Phum Police Station for further questioning. The investigation is ongoing as officers examine the seized electronic devices and assess potential links to cross-border scam operations.

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

Key Takeaways

• A Myanmar driver and six Chinese nationals were arrested at 01.00am on 18 February 2026 at a checkpoint in Thong Pha Phum, Kanchanaburi.

• Police seized 25 mobile phones, one notebook computer, two keyboards and one mouse from the vehicle.

• Authorities suspect the group was heading to Myanmar to work with a scam network operating 20–30 kilometres across the border.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 19 Feb 2026