Thailand's Department of Land Transport (DLT) has impounded five Chinese-registered container trucks in Chumphon while it investigates whether they travelled beyond routes permitted under a regional cross-border freight agreement.
The trucks were found parked behind Morakot Market in Lang Suan district this week, with no drivers present. The DLT said any Chinese freight vehicle found operating outside its approved route in future will be stopped immediately, directed back to an authorised corridor and face legal action.
The enforcement drive follows reports that Chinese trucks allowed into Thailand under the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Cross-Border Transport Agreement had departed from their approved routes to collect fruit shipments in southern Thailand.
Five trucks entered via Chiang Khong
Checks on the five vehicles showed they were all licensed for international transport. They had entered Thailand through the Chiang Khong customs checkpoint in Chiang Rai between June 29 and July 1, with Bangkok and Chanthaburi listed as their declared destinations.
Authorities are now investigating buyers, sellers and other parties suspected of arranging freight collection outside the authorised transport routes. Legal proceedings will follow if violations are confirmed.
DLT director-general Sorapong Paitoonphong said the department was working with highway police and other agencies to prevent repeat breaches and protect Thai transport operators' interests.
Officials from the Chumphon Provincial Land Transport Office joined police, customs, immigration officers, provincial commerce officials and local administrative authorities in the operation. They inspected vehicles and checked permits for the purchase and transport of goods around Lertporn Market, Morakot Market and nearby areas of Lang Suan.
Rules cover international freight movements
The GMS Cross-Border Transport Agreement covers Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. During the Chumphon operation, officials also explained the agreement's rules to freight operators.
Mr Sorapong said the checks were a proactive attempt to intercept Chinese trucks trying to travel beyond their authorised routes into southern Thailand.
Drivers found to have breached the agreement's conditions face legal penalties and fines. They will also be ordered to return to one of the nine authorised transport corridors and will not be allowed to continue to destinations outside those routes.
The crackdown applies to international commercial freight operations, rather than privately used vehicles. However, it is relevant to businesses and consumers because the alleged route deviations involved the collection of southern fruit shipments, while the authorities' stated aim is to ensure foreign freight operators follow Thai transport conditions.
Enforcement to continue
The DLT said Chinese freight trucks travelling outside their approved corridors will be intercepted and their transport papers examined. The department has not announced the outcome of its investigation into the five impounded vehicles.
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17 July 2026
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