Thai border troops in Phop Phra district of Tak province successfully rescued two Chinese nationals, Wu Changqing, 27, and Zhu Chao, 36, last night after they were abandoned near the border. The pair had been dropped off with a promise that another driver would pick them up and take them into Myanmar.
The rescue occurred around 6:20 PM when an army patrol discovered the two individuals waiting at the location. Wu and Zhu informed the soldiers that they were on their way to Chiang Mai but had been left stranded.
Suspecting that the two were likely victims of a human trafficking scheme, potentially being lured into illegal work such as call centers or other illicit businesses, the troops escorted them to Mae Sot Police Station. Authorities began coordinating efforts to contact their families and ensure their safety.
The Chinese nationals revealed their journey began earlier that day at Suvarnabhumi Airport. They had arrived around 5:00 AM and checked into a nearby hotel to rest. While at the hotel, they arranged a car rental service to take them to Chiang Mai.
At around 10:00 AM, a grey Mitsubishi Pajero picked them up from the hotel. However, instead of heading to Chiang Mai, the driver took them to Phop Phra district, where they were abandoned with instructions to wait for another car.
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of human trafficking in the region, with unsuspecting individuals often targeted by criminal networks. Thai authorities are continuing investigations to track down those responsible for the scheme and ensure the safety of the victims.
