Thai police arrested two Myanmar nationals on Sunday morning for allegedly smuggling six of their compatriots hidden in the backseat of a pickup truck in Sangkhla Buri district.
The suspects, identified as 44-year-old driver Ten Win and his 27-year-old attendant Mai, were stopped at a police checkpoint in Moo 4 village of tambon Prang Play at 6:50 a.m. Upon inspection, officers found six undocumented Myanmar nationals—one man and five women—crammed into the backseat without identification documents.
According to police, Ten Win confessed to picking up the migrants on a forest road in Sangkhla Buri district. He had planned to transport them to Muang district in Kanchanaburi and charged each migrant 3,000 baht for the journey.
The six migrants, believed to have entered Thailand illegally, were detained for questioning and further legal proceedings. The two suspects are facing charges of human smuggling under Thai law.
Increased Border Security Measures
This arrest underscores the ongoing challenges authorities face in combating illegal immigration and human smuggling along the Thai-Myanmar border. Sangkhla Buri, with its remote terrain and forested crossings, has long been a hotspot for such activities.
Police are investigating whether Ten Win and Mai are linked to a larger smuggling network operating in the area.
Authorities Call for Public Support
Officials have urged residents in border areas to report any suspicious activities that may involve human trafficking or smuggling operations. Increased surveillance and cooperation between agencies aim to disrupt these networks and ensure border security.
The case remains under investigation as Thai authorities work to identify any additional suspects involved in the operation.
