Chinese smuggling suspect arrested in Chiang Rai

Thai immigration police have arrested a 69-year-old man at his home in Chiang Rai over allegations he helped run a network moving Chinese nationals illegally through Thailand en route to Malaysia.

The suspect, identified only as Nikom, was detained under a Songkhla Provincial Court warrant, No. 521/2569, issued on 4 August 2026. He was taken from Chiang Rai to Na Mom Police Station in Songkhla for legal proceedings.

Arrest followed Songkhla resort raid

The case began on 7 June 2026, when Songkhla Immigration Police received intelligence that a resort in Na Mom district was being used as a holding point for people who had entered Thailand illegally.

Officers found six Chinese nationals and one Myanmar national at the resort, along with more than 20 mobile phones. Investigators said the group had travelled from Cambodia and entered Thailand unlawfully before intending to continue to Malaysia.

Police said the network was divided into roles, including overseas financiers, people arranging vehicles and accommodation, and guides taking migrants across natural border crossings. The alleged fee charged to each member of the so-called Chinese grey group was 65,000 baht.

Authorities believe the operation had been running for more than a year and may have generated between 6 million and 10 million baht in circulating funds.

Four suspects named in the investigation

According to investigators, a man known as "Bang Dee" received instructions from foreign financiers and organised the movement of people. Nikom and another man, Sombat, were allegedly responsible for arranging vehicles to take migrants to the Songkhla resort.

Once there, a man known as Habib, described as a close associate of Bang Dee, allegedly took over and escorted them out of Thailand.

Songkhla Provincial Court issued warrants for four people. Nikom was located at an unnumbered house in Moo 20, Pa O Don Chai subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai district, where Chiang Rai Immigration Police arrested him without resistance.

The operation was overseen by Pol Maj Gen Sarawut Khonyai, commander of Immigration Division 5, and Pol Col Ekkarak Busababodin, his deputy. They assigned Chiang Rai Immigration superintendent Pol Col Surasak Thiantong, deputy superintendent Pol Lt Col Patsalaporn Sukkrasorn and inspector Pol Lt Col Wichai Panna to handle the arrest.

Other alleged organisers also detained

Habib was arrested in Yala by Yala Immigration Police and Investigation Division 2 of the Southern Border Provinces Police Investigation Bureau. Sombat was detained in Ayutthaya by Immigration Bureau Investigation Division 1, Ayutthaya Immigration Police and Highway Police.

Bang Dee, described as the main organiser, was arrested at a checkpoint in Narathiwat by Narathiwat Immigration Police, Immigration Division 6 investigators and security officers in the southern border provinces. All are now facing legal action.

Pictures courtesy of Naewna

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26 August 2026

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