The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has arrested a 60-year-old Thai taxi driver for allegedly transporting three Chinese nationals who had entered Thailand illegally. The arrest took place on 8 July 2026 on Asia Road outbound between kilometre markers 17 and 18 in Khlong Suan Plu subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district.
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The driver, identified as Jirawat, was charged with knowingly helping foreign nationals who had entered the Kingdom in violation of immigration laws by providing transport, shelter, concealment or assistance to avoid arrest. The three Chinese passengers were charged with entering and staying in Thailand without permission.
Police seized a yellow Toyota Corolla taxi, a Vivo mobile phone and a vehicle key as evidence. The suspects were taken to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Police Station for further legal proceedings.
The operation involved officers from the Highway Police Division, Immigration Bureau, Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, and Crime Suppression Division. Authorities had been monitoring suspected networks involved in transporting Chinese nationals who entered Thailand illegally and were moving from Bangkok towards Ayutthaya.
Officers reported spotting the taxi travelling at speed and changing lanes suddenly, prompting them to stop and inspect the vehicle. During the inspection, police found three Chinese passengers who could not present passports or any documents allowing them to remain in Thailand.
Jirawat told officers that on 6 July 2026 he had been contacted by a Thai man known as Chat, who asked him to assist with transporting three Chinese nationals from Sa Kaeo province to a resort in Bangkok. He said he later received instructions to pick them up from Luang Phaeng Resort and take them to Ayutthaya for a payment of 1,000 baht per person.
Pictures courtesy of Amarin
The driver admitted he knew the passengers did not have passports or travel documents and agreed to transport them. He said payments were to be transferred through another individual known as Mei, who was based in northern Thailand.
The three Chinese nationals told police through an interpreter that they had crossed into Thailand through a natural border route from Cambodia into Sa Kaeo province. They said their intended destination was Myanmar and that a broker was arranging all expenses.
Amarin reported that authorities will continue investigating the wider network believed to be involved in illegal border crossings and human transportation. The arrested individuals remain under legal action while police gather further evidence.
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10 July 2026
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