Young Man Arrested for Smuggling Undocumented Migrant Workers

On November 3rd, Thai Highway Police apprehended a 19-year-old man, Somkiat (surname withheld), for transporting undocumented migrant workers in a stolen vehicle.

The black ISUZU D-MAX, registered in Phitsanulok, was intercepted in Pathum Thani Province with 12 Myanmar nationals aboard, who were hiding in the truck bed and seated in the cab, reported Siam Rath.

During the interrogation, Somkiat confessed to stealing his mother's pickup truck, claiming to her that he intended to pick up a girl. In reality, he had used the vehicle approximately five times to illegally ferry workers into the country, earning 15,000 baht per trip. The operations originated from Wang Chao District, Tak Province, with a handover point for the migrants further along the route.

The arrest was part of an ongoing crackdown by the Highway Police Division 1, targeting illegal migrant workers and their transporters in Pathum Thani. Continuous efforts are being made to monitor and investigate smuggling routes.

Picture: Siam Rath

The intensified surveillance paid off when, at approximately 12:20 PM, officers flagged down the overloaded pickup with flashing lights and audible signals, culminating in the arrest at a traffic junction.

All suspects were taken into custody and delivered to the Nong Suea Police Station for further legal proceedings. The continuous apprehension of undocumented workers by the Ayutthaya Police is part of a broader strategy to prevent the spread of diseases by illegal migrant entries into Thailand.

Top Picture: Siam Rath

-- ASEAN NOW 2023-11-04

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