Two Vietnamese men held at Nakhon Phanom border

Two Vietnamese nationals wanted on Nonthaburi court warrants over alleged transnational crime, call-centre fraud and money laundering were arrested while attempting to leave Thailand for Laos on 29 July.

Immigration officers stopped the men at the third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge permanent border crossing, linking Nakhon Phanom with Khammouane province in Laos. They were reportedly presenting their passports to cross the border when the warrants were identified.

The suspects were named as Mr Ngoc, 33, and Mr Tu, 39. Both are Vietnamese citizens.

Warrants linked to cybercrime investigation

Database checks found the pair were wanted under Nonthaburi Provincial Court warrants numbers 902/2569 and 903/2569, issued on 19 June 2026.

The warrants were sought by Division 4 of Technology Crime Investigation Bureau 2, known as cyber police. Authorities said the case concerns an alleged international call-centre and cybercrime network.

The men face allegations including participation in a transnational criminal organisation, secret society involvement, operating a criminal hideout, public fraud through impersonation, making and using forged official documents, and unauthorised use of official seals.

They are also accused of jointly entering false or partly falsified computer data into a computer system in a manner likely to cause public harm. Further allegations include conspiring with two or more people to commit money laundering, committing money laundering as a result of that conspiracy, and jointly laundering money.

Authorities said the offences carry substantial prison penalties.

Pair allegedly planned onward journey to Vietnam

During their initial questioning, the two men reportedly admitted they were heading to Laos as a transit route before travelling to Vietnam, where they intended to hide.

After arrest procedures at the frontier post, Nakhon Phanom immigration handed them to investigators from Division 4 of Technology Crime Investigation Bureau 2. Police will seek to identify further alleged members of the network before proceeding with the case.

The arrests were made by Nakhon Phanom Immigration's person and vehicle inspection officers, working with its investigation and suppression team.

Border checks remain central to enforcement

Immigration Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak, deputy commissioners Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nutchanart and Pol Maj Gen Thanit Thaivacharamas, and Immigration Division 4 commander Pol Maj Gen Phairach Phukcharoen have instructed border posts nationwide to tighten checks on people and vehicles entering and leaving Thailand.

Nakhon Phanom Immigration superintendent Pol Col Chatchai Samniang and deputy superintendent Pol Lt Col Suphamit Katasila have directed officers to examine travel documents more closely and deploy investigation teams along the border. The stated aim is to prevent criminal groups and call-centre gangs from using Thailand as a base or escape route.

Pictures courtesy of Naewna

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31 July 2026