CIB Chase Halts Migrant Smuggling Vehicle in Kanchanaburi

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers ended a dramatic 40-kilometre pursuit in Kanchanaburi province, intercepting a vehicle carrying 19 Myanmar nationals who had entered Thailand illegally. The chase concluded when the vehicle left the road and became stuck in a sugarcane field, leading to the detention of all occupants found inside. Authorities said some of those transported were planning to continue onward to Malaysia.

The incident occurred on December 16, 2025, when Highway Police under the CIB received intelligence about a migrant smuggling operation using border routes into Kanchanaburi’s Muang district. Officers from Highway Police Division 2 spotted a white Toyota pickup truck with Kanchanaburi registration travelling on Highway 323 at kilometre marker 100 and appearing unusually heavily loaded. When police signalled the driver to stop using lights, sirens and loudspeaker instructions, the vehicle accelerated and fled.

The pursuit continued along the Wang Singh–Ban Kao route for more than 40 kilometres before the driver steered into a sugarcane field and struck an embankment in Wang Yen village, Wang Yen subdistrict, Muang district. The driver escaped into the darkness, while police secured the scene and detained the remaining occupants attempting to flee. A search of the vehicle revealed 10 adult suspects and nine accompanying minors, none of whom could speak Thai or produce passports or identification documents.

Those detained included seven adult men, three adult women and nine minors aged between six and 17, all Myanmar nationals. Police said the group had travelled from Yangon, Rakhine State and Phaya Thonzu in Myanmar, entering Thailand illegally via the Phra Chedi Sam Ong area. According to statements given through an interpreter, brokers arranged transport and charged between 10,000 and 20,000 baht per person, with intended destinations including Ratchaburi province, Mahachai market and onward travel to Malaysia for some individuals.

Amarin reported that all suspects were charged with being foreign nationals who entered and stayed in the Kingdom of Thailand without permission. They were taken into custody and handed over to investigators at Muang Kanchanaburi Police Station for legal proceedings. Police said investigations will continue to identify the driver and any wider smuggling network involved in organising the transport.

Key Takeaways

• CIB officers intercepted a migrant smuggling vehicle after a 40-kilometre chase in Kanchanaburi on December 16, 2025.

• Nineteen Myanmar nationals, including nine minors, were detained without travel documents.

• Police are pursuing the escaped driver and investigating the broader smuggling operation.

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 Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin.2025-12-18