A Chinese man sought help near the M81 motorway in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on March 30, claiming he was fleeing from other Chinese nationals. The man, found limping with a leg injury, used a translation app to communicate with a local woman, Rin, who recorded the encounter and contacted Bang Yai police. Despite his reluctance, the police eventually escorted him to the station.

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The man explained that he had been deceived into entering Thailand after believing he would be taken back to China from Cambodia. Fearing he was being pursued by a group reportedly carrying firearms, he claimed to have escaped by hiding under a transport truck. Once safe, he expressed a strong desire to contact the Chinese Embassy directly, fearing potential links between Thai police and those he was running from.

On March 31, Rin revisited the location and explained the man's refusal to involve Thai authorities initially, as he feared connections with the deceptive group. Despite receiving assurance, his anxious demeanor remained evident during the police interaction. After leaving the station, he was reportedly sent to the Chinese Embassy but was not present when Rin checked the following day.

Rin expressed concern about his whereabouts, noting he lacked a passport and the embassy hadn’t opened until later that morning. She remained worried about his safety and urged the media to investigate further to ensure he had reached the embassy unharmed.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 01 Apr 2026

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A failure of basic duty of care.

When someone runs into a public place claiming they’re being pursued, the authorities don’t get to decide on the spot whether he’s “credible” or not.

They’re supposed to ensure his immediate safety first and verify the story after.

Even if his claims later turn out to be exaggerated or false, the initial response should have been to take him seriously until proven otherwise.