Pickup Truck Smuggling Migrants Leads to 12km Chase in Kanchanaburi

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

 

A dramatic police chase unfolded in Kanchanaburi after a man driving a pickup truck packed with illegal migrants attempted to evade a checkpoint. The pursuit lasted over 12 kilometres before immigration officers apprehended the suspect and his passengers.

 

According to reports, on the evening of 11 March, Police Lieutenant General Phanumart Boonyaluck, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, was tipped off that a human smuggling operation was transporting illegal Myanmar migrants into Thailand via Sai Yok district, Kanchanaburi. In response, immigration police coordinated with military personnel from the Lat Ya Task Force, officers from Sai Yok Police Station, Border Patrol Police Unit 136, and local administrative authorities to set up a checkpoint on Highway 323 near Sai Yok Permanent Checkpoint in Tha Sao subdistrict.

 

At approximately 18:30 officers spotted a suspicious pickup truck approaching from Sai Yok, heading towards Kanchanaburi city. When signalled to stop, the driver refused to comply, accelerating past the checkpoint and speeding off along Highway 323. Officers immediately pursued the vehicle as it fled towards Wang Krachae subdistrict.

 

The high-speed chase continued for more than 12 kilometres before the driver finally pulled over near Ban Kaeng Sarawat School, realising he had no escape. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Weerapong was immediately taken into custody.

 

Upon inspecting the vehicle, officers discovered nine adult Myanmar nationals crammed inside the cabin, three men, six women, and two small children. The group was transported to the Sai Yok checkpoint for questioning.

 

During interrogation, Weerapong admitted that he had been hired to transport the migrants from Tai Yok Yai subdistrict to a meeting point in Nong Bua subdistrict, Mueang Kanchanaburi district. He claimed he was paid 500 baht per person for the job and that another vehicle was scheduled to pick up the group upon arrival at the drop-off point.

 

Meanwhile, the detained migrants revealed that they had illegally crossed into Thailand via Ban Phra Chedi Sam Ong in Sangkhla Buri district. They had travelled by boat and were transferred through multiple vehicles before reaching Tai Yok Yai, where Weerapong collected them for the final leg of the journey. They said their ultimate destination was Bangkok, where they planned to seek employment. The group had not yet agreed on the transport fees before being apprehended.

 

Following the confessions, Weerapong was charged under Thailand’s immigration laws for “assisting or harbouring illegal migrants to evade arrest.” The Myanmar nationals were charged under the Immigration Act for “illegally entering and residing in Thailand.”

 

Kanchanaburi Immigration Chief Police Colonel Korn Somkhanaey reaffirmed that the operation was part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration, business violations, and criminal activities involving foreign nationals. The crackdown aligns with the Royal Thai Police’s national policy to prevent transnational crimes and safeguard public security.

 

Authorities warned that cases like this pose significant risks, as high-speed chases can lead to accidents, endangering both officers and the public. Officers have been instructed to prioritise safety while carrying out their duties.

 

Authorities have urged the public to report any suspected human smuggling activities, highlighting the severe legal consequences for those involved.

 

 

-- 2025-03-13

 

 

 

[flyingtlger]

14 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

officers spotted a suspicious pickup truck

 

I'll say!

[PJ71]

this looks like one of those world record attempts....did anyone give Norris a call?

[Tropicalevo]

9 illegal immigrants sitting in a truck

9 illegal immigrants sitting in a truck

and the police pulled them over and said 'your out of luck'

There are no illegal immigrants in that goddam truck.

 

(to the tune of 10 green bottles?)