Picture courtesy of Naewna

 

Nineteen Chinese men have been arrested in Chiang Rai after police raided a rented house where they were hiding, allegedly waiting to cross into Laos. The operation, conducted on 25 October 2025, was led by Pol Lt Col Thanawin Puangmali of the Chiang Rai Tourist Police, in coordination with Immigration Police, following reports of a large group of suspicious foreign nationals living in a residence in Moo 11, Tambon Thasud, Mueang Chiang Rai district. None of the men spoke Thai and all admitted through an interpreter that they had entered Thailand illegally from Mae Sot district in Tak province via natural border routes.

 

According to the investigation, the group planned to continue their journey across the border into the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Police said the operation followed orders from Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phueakaam, Commissioner of the Tourist Police, and Pol Maj Gen Olan Iamprapas, Commander of Tourist Police Division 2, as part of a nationwide crackdown on transnational crime. Initial intelligence suggested the group had fled Myanmar following intensified law enforcement operations against illegal networks there.

 

Of the 19 suspects, six were found carrying valid Chinese passports but had overstayed their outdated permission of stay, while 13 possessed no identification documents. Officers also detained Ms. Chatchada, 35, from Mae Suai district, Chiang Rai, who rented the house on behalf of the group. A large number of mobile phones were seized as evidence.

 

Ms. Chatchada told police she had been hired to arrange accommodation and food for the men, receiving 200 baht per person per day, but claimed she was unaware of their plans or movements. She has been charged with assisting and sheltering illegal migrants to evade arrest. The Chinese nationals face charges of illegal entry and staying in the kingdom without permission.

 

All suspects were handed over to Ban Du Police Station for legal proceedings. Authorities are continuing investigations to determine whether the group is linked to transnational online crime syndicates operating in the region.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Nineteen Chinese nationals were arrested in Chiang Rai after entering Thailand illegally from Myanmar.

• A local woman who arranged their accommodation was charged with harbouring illegal migrants.

• Police are investigating possible connections to regional online crime networks.

 

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Naewna 2025-10-26

 

 

 

 

On 10/26/2025 at 3:53 AM, Georgealbert said:

Ms. Chatchada told police she had been hired to arrange accommodation and food for the men, receiving 200 baht per person per day, but claimed she was unaware of their plans or movements. She has been charged with assisting and sheltering illegal migrants to evade arrest.

Hired by who... 

Stop them coming here, not leaving

On 10/26/2025 at 3:53 AM, Georgealbert said:

Ms. Chatchada told police she had been hired to arrange accommodation and food for the men, receiving 200 baht per person per day, but claimed she was unaware of their plans or movements.

So she saw nothing suspicious in 19 men sharing the same house. Nothing in the story to say how long they had been there..🙄

On 10/26/2025 at 3:53 AM, Georgealbert said:

they had entered Thailand illegally from Mae Sot district in Tak province

 

Being bombed out of the Chinese KK Park scamming complex by the Military in Burma and on their way to the Kings Romans casino and scamming complex in the Chinese Special Economic Zone in Laos?

There has to be a better way to keep track of overstays.  

On 10/27/2025 at 8:26 AM, hotchilli said:

Hired by who... 

The man behind the scam ring 

On 10/27/2025 at 9:51 AM, brian69 said:

So she saw nothing suspicious in 19 men sharing the same house. Nothing in the story to say how long they had been there..🙄

19 was her lucky lottery number 

On 10/27/2025 at 9:31 AM, Grumpy one said:

Stop them coming here, not leaving

Send this lot home with a permanent rentry ban after 5 years in the Hilton 

 

46 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

The man behind the scam ring 

Genius