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Pickup Smuggling Myanmar Workers Crashes at Checkpoint

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Pictures courtesy of SiamRath

A pickup truck smuggling Myanmar migrant workers crashed into a lorry after attempting to evade a police checkpoint in Kanchanaburi province, leaving vehicles damaged and leading to the arrest of seven undocumented workers. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into nearby woodland, while police launched an immediate search operation.

The incident occurred at 11.55am on 16 January 2569 on the Kaeng Sian–Wang Saphung bypass road, near the Pak Phraek Municipality fire station in Mueang district, Kanchanaburi.

Traffic police had established a checkpoint to prevent firearms offences, arrest wanted suspects, curb illegal migrant transport, and enforce traffic regulations.

Officers were acting under the direction of Pol Maj Gen Phatsawit Rueangphu, Provincial Police Commander, with senior officers including Pol Col Santad Layangkool and Pol Col Chaiyarat Buakhom overseeing operations. About 100 metres before the checkpoint, a black Chevrolet pickup with a cab, registration from Phichit, made a suspicious U-turn.

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Traffic officers signalled the driver to stop, but the pickup accelerated to flee. The vehicle then crashed into the side of a stone-laden lorry, causing a tyre to burst and front-end damage to the pickup.

A second lorry attempted to block the escape and its driver got out to assist police, but the pickup continued driving despite the damage. The vehicle sped into Wat Nuea residential area, down Soi Wat Nuea 1, Moo 10, Pak Phraek subdistrict.

It was later found abandoned in a wooded area, with the driver having fled on foot. Police, led by Pol Lt Col Chokchai Thaicharoen and Pol Capt Wechayan Piyaphirom, cordoned off the area and searched the forest for about 30 minutes.

Seven Myanmar nationals were found hiding in the woods, consisting of four men and three women. Luggage was discovered in the pickup, along with some passport documents, but the driver was not located.

CCTV footage captured the entire sequence, showing the pickup ramming the lorry before fleeing. Police believe the driver escaped due to familiarity with the area. The seven Myanmar workers were charged with being foreign nationals in Thailand without permission and handed over to Pol Capt Sakul Iambunlue of Mueang Kanchanaburi Police Station for legal proceedings.

SiamRath reported that police are continuing efforts to identify and arrest the driver. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to strict enforcement against illegal migrant smuggling. Further investigation will focus on possible networks involved in transporting undocumented workers.

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Key Takeaways

• A pickup smuggling Myanmar workers crashed while fleeing a police checkpoint in Kanchanaburi.

• Seven undocumented migrants were arrested, while the driver escaped.

• Police are pursuing the suspect and investigating wider smuggling links.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Siamrath 2026-01-18

 

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