Police Bust Chinese Migrant Smuggling in Songkhla

Picture courtesy of Kaoded.

Songkhla Immigration Police, in collaboration with the Highway Police, have intensified efforts to dismantle a smuggling network involved in the illegal entry of Chinese nationals into Thailand.

Pol. Col. Chinawut Tangwonglert, Chief of Songkhla Immigration Police, ordered an investigative unit to extend operations targeting migrant smuggling. This follows the arrest of three Chinese nationals in Sadao district on 31 July, which led to further intelligence revealing involvement of a Thai driver operating a black Toyota Fortuner SUV, licence plate 1กอ-2157 Bangkok, suspected of ferrying Chinese migrants.

Acting on a tip-off received around 01:00, authorities coordinated with the Highway Police at the Rattaphum checkpoint, located at Highway Police Station 3, Subdistrict Khuha Tai, Rattaphum district.

When the suspect vehicle arrived at the checkpoint, officers stopped the car and found Mr. Wira 57, a Thai national, behind the wheel. One Chinese passenger, Mr. Tian Ming Chiang 35, was also inside. Although Mr. Tian held a passport, he lacked proper entry documentation for Thailand.

During interrogation, Mr. Wira confessed he was hired by a person known only as “Ton” to pick up foreign nationals from a hotel near Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan province and transport them to Hat Yai district in Songkhla province for a fee of 8,000 baht.

Mr. Tian admitted he had entered Thailand illegally via the border and intended to work in Malaysia but was unaware of the exact smuggling routes.

Songkhla Immigration Police have charged Mr. Wira with harbouring and assisting an illegal immigrant to evade arrest. Mr. Tian faces charges for illegal entry and residence in the Kingdom. Both suspects have been handed over to the Rattaphum Police for legal proceedings.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Kaoded 2025-08-05