Vietnamese National Caught in Attempted Illegal Border Crossing Aboard Laos Bus in Nong Khai

Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

Immigration officers in Nong Khai have arrested the driver and a staff member of a cross-border bus service operating between Vientiane and Nong Khai for smuggling a Vietnamese national across the Thai-Laos border.

The arrest followed a tip-off received by the Nong Khai Immigration Investigation Unit, under the direction of Pol. Col. Noppadol Rakchat, Superintendent of Nong Khai Immigration, along with senior officers Pol. Lt. Col. Thanoosil Duangkaewngam and Pol. Lt. Col. Thiyaphat Rangsiphramakun. Officials were informed that a bus from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was regularly transporting Vietnamese nationals illegally through the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge checkpoint.

Officers stationed at the checkpoint observed the targeted bus after it departed from the Nong Khai bus terminal. As passengers disembarked to undergo standard immigration procedures, officers searched the vehicle and discovered a Vietnamese man hiding in a passenger seat, attempting to avoid immigration inspection.

The man was identified as Mr Cong Khue Truong, 64, holding Vietnamese passport. Records showed that he was previously deported from Thailand for working illegally and had been blacklisted, making his presence in the country unlawful.

Immigration officers detained both the driver, Mr Vongphaseang, and the bus attendant, Ms Pudsana, both citizens of Laos,for questioning.

During the investigation, both admitted to picking up Mr Truong from the Nong Khai terminal and attempting to smuggle him back into Laos, each receiving a promised payment of 2,000 baht. Mr Truong claimed he had paid an agent 15,000 baht to arrange the illegal passage, aware that he was barred from entering or leaving Thailand through official channels.

The driver and attendant have been charged under Section 64 of Thailand’s Immigration Act for “harbouring and concealing an alien.” Mr Truong has been charged with “illegal entry.” All three individuals, along with the bus, were handed over to Muang Nong Khai Police Station for legal proceedings.

Authorities say they will continue to crack down on cross-border smuggling operations and have urged transport operators to strictly comply with immigration laws.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Workpoint 2025-05-13.