Report Kanchanaburi Man Nabbed with 41 Migrants in Failed Smuggling Bid

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Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

In a dramatic turn of events today, a Thai man was apprehended in the early hours while attempting to smuggle 41 illegal migrants in Kanchanaburi. The incident unfolded when a police pursuit ended with the suspect's vehicle stuck in mud, leading to the arrest of all involved.

 

The migrants, hailing from Myanmar, had each paid upwards of 50,000 baht (approximately US$1,515) to secure passage into Bangkok and eventually Malaysia. The promise of better employment opportunities lured the group, who began their perilous journey from various cities, including Yangon and Mawlamyine.

 

The operation came to light earlier today, on June 23, when Chakrit Tanpirun, the district officer of Thong Pha Phum, received a critical tip-off about smuggling activities. With Kanchanaburi's chief district officer Krisda Moolsawat and other officials, a strategic plan was quickly set in motion to apprehend those involved.

 

Authorities had been alerted to a white Isuzu pickup truck, reportedly transporting illegal migrants into Thong Pha Phum district. This prompted extensive patrols and monitoring near Wat Ulong in Tha Khanun subdistrict, as part of the government’s SEAL STOP SAVE initiative, a programme aimed at bolstering border security.

 

The pursuit began at approximately 3.40am when the identified vehicle was spotted speeding away from Sangkhla Buri district. Despite signals to halt, the driver, later identified as 40-year-old Kamphon from Prachuap Khiri Khan province, made a desperate attempt to escape via a muddy trail leading to the Khwae Noi River. However, his efforts were thwarted when the truck was mired in the mud, allowing officials to arrest him and the migrants on board.

 

Inside, 41 individuals, including 33 men and eight women, were discovered tightly packed. Despite finding no illegal items, none held proper documentation, necessitating a translator to communicate. It was revealed that the migrants had gathered in Phaya Tongsu, Myanmar, later crossing into Thailand at Nong Lu.

 

Their aspirations included securing work in either Bangkok or Malaysia, with brokers organising their transit and demanding substantial fees – 15,000 baht for Bangkok and 55,000 baht for Malaysia.

 

Kamphon confessed to collecting the migrants from Daichongtong Waterfall in Sangkhla Buri district and was en route to a designated meeting location when the plan unravelled. Charged with facilitating illegal entry, Kamphon now faces legal proceedings.

 

The migrants were also charged for residing in Thailand illegally and will undergo repatriation processes. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in border security and the risks migrants face in search of better lives.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-23