Taxi Driver Arrested for Helping to Smuggle Illegal Migrants Through Thailand

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture of arrest.

 

A 49-year-old taxi driver has been arrested in Pathum Thani after he was caught transporting nine illegal migrant workers from Myanmar, in one taxi. The arrest took place at approximately 16:00 on January 4, at a checkpoint on Phaholyothin Road, near the Klong Luang area.

 

Police, led by Colonel Ekkachai Wansiriphak, Commander of Division 1, Highway Police, alongside other officers from the Highway Police and local authorities, apprehended Mr. Udom Chanthanon, the driver of a green-and-yellow taxi with Bangkok license plate. The taxi was found to be carrying nine migrant workers, including both men and women, who were hiding inside the vehicle. During the search, officers also discovered a cap with the words “CIB” (Central Investigation Bureau) written on it, placed on the dashboard, which the driver had purchased for 250 baht.

 

Mr. Chanthanon confessed to picking up the migrant workers from the area near the Phraphee Pat Canal in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya and was transporting them to the Lam Luk Ka area in Pathum Thani. He stated that he was being paid 400 baht per person by an intermediary to deliver the workers. He further explained that he had no intention of impersonating a police officer using the CIB cap, which he claimed to have bought as a novelty.

 

The migrant workers, who were without proper identification documents, revealed they had paid 12,000 baht each to a broker for the journey from Mae Sai in Chiang Rai province to Thailand.

 

Police Lieutenant Colonel Papinwitt Udomphorn, an officer from the Highway Police Division 1, emphasised that the authorities were stepping up their efforts to combat illegal immigration. Many illegal migrants attempt to enter Thailand under the guise of the holiday rush, using various transport methods, including buses, trucks, and private vehicles. The migrant workers in this case lacked proper identification, making it difficult for authorities to take legal action should they commit any crimes in the future.

 

Mr. Chanthanon has been charged with knowingly assisting illegal migrants to stay in Thailand, while the nine migrant workers have been charged with entering and staying in the country without authorization. The workers are currently facing deportation proceedings.

 

-- 2025-01-06

 

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The taxi was found to be carrying nine migrant workers, including both men and women, who were hiding inside the vehicle.

Don't tell me the bulge under the carpet gave them away?

[phil2407]

Why not just get 2 taxis - 4 & 5 & split the money & not draw attention to yourself - not condoning illegals but use your brain 🧠