Police Chase of Chinese Smuggling Pickup Causes Crash in Mae Sot

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

A high-speed police chase involving an alleged human smuggling operation ended in a road crash in Mae Sot district, Tak province, on 19 January, leaving at least two people injured and several vehicles damaged. The incident occurred after a pickup truck carrying foreign nationals attempted to evade a police checkpoint and collided with a car before overturning onto a motorcycle. Authorities detained seven suspects at the scene, including the Thai driver and six foreign passengers.

Police from Mae Sot Police Station were conducting a checkpoint operation targeting illegal migrants and contraband on Seree Thai Road in Mae Sot subdistrict at around 1.50pm. Officers noticed a black Ford Ranger pickup truck with Saraburi registration approaching the checkpoint before abruptly turning around and driving against the flow of traffic. Suspecting illegal activity, police alerted their radio centre and coordinated with other patrol units to intercept the vehicle.

The pickup fled at high speed in what police described as reckless and dangerous driving to avoid arrest. The pursuit continued until the vehicle driver lost control at the Khlong Chonprathan intersection near the Mae Tao junction in Mae Tao subdistrict. The truck struck another car, which overturned and landed on a motorcycle, causing damage to all vehicles.

Police and emergency responders provided assistance at the scene and inspected the pickup truck. The driver was identified as Mr Chalermphon, aged 36, from Lopburi province, listed as suspect one. Inside the vehicle, officers found six additional passengers, identified by police as suspects two to seven, comprising two men and four women.

When asked to present travel documents, the six passengers were unable to produce any evidence of legal entry into Thailand. Police confirmed that all six are Chinese nationals and believe they may have crossed into Thailand from Myanmar. Authorities stated that the group may be linked to online scam operations, although further investigation is ongoing.

Matichon reported that Mr Chalermphon was charged with harbouring or assisting illegal migrants to evade arrest, reckless driving, driving without regard for the safety of others and disobeying a lawful order from an officer. The six chinese nationals were charged with entering and residing in the Kingdom without permission. All seven suspects were taken into custody and handed over to investigators at Mae Sot Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Key Takeaways

• A police pursuit of a suspected migrant smuggling pickup led to a crash in Mae Sot on 19 January.

• Seven suspects were arrested, including a Thai driver and six Chinese nationals without entry documents.

• At least two people were injured, with investigations ongoing into possible scam network links.

Related Stories

Pickup-smuggling-Myanmar-workers-crashes-at-checkpoint

SUVcrash-leaves-28-migrants-detained-in-Kanchanaburi

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon 2026-01-20