Kanchanaburi: The Surasi Task Force, in collaboration with local police, successfully intercepted a sedan transporting 28 illegal migrant workers. The vehicle, which attempted to bypass a checkpoint at Vajiralongkorn Dam, was eventually stopped, and the driver reportedly confessed to a bounty of 20,000 baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Kanchanaburi Governor Athisan Intra and Maj. Gen. Atsawut Panyarachun, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division and Commander of the Surasee Task Force, revealed they had received intelligence about the illegal smuggling operation. The operation involved foreign workers being smuggled from the Kanchanaburi border area into the inner region.
To counteract this, orders were given to Col. Pansak Preawphanit, Commander of the 29th Infantry Regiment and the Lat Ya Task Force, Surasee Force, along with Col. Piyanes Phattharasasawatwong, Deputy Commander of the Lat Ya Task Force. They were instructed to deploy personnel from the 135th Border Patrol Police Company, the Thong Pha Phum District Administration, and the Thong Pha Phum Police Station to establish checkpoints aimed at preventing illegal activities.
At approximately 2:00 AM, security officials stationed at the checkpoint in front of Vajiralongkorn Dam in Tha Khanun Subdistrict, Thong Pha Phum District, observed a suspicious vehicle traveling from Huai Khayeng Subdistrict towards Mueang Kanchanaburi District. When signaled to stop, the driver attempted to flee, prompting officers to pursue and intercept the vehicle on Highway 3272, near the Lat Ya Task Force Headquarters. The driver abandoned the vehicle, which contained 28 illegal immigrants from Myanmar, and fled.
Upon investigation, authorities discovered that the migrants, who could not speak Thai and lacked official identification, had traveled from Yangon and Mandalay provinces in Myanmar. They entered Thailand illegally through a natural route at Ban Phra Chedi Sam Ong in Sangkhla Buri District, using land and water routes to avoid detection. The migrants intended to reach Samut Sakhon, Chonburi, and Chachoengsao provinces for work, having paid brokers between 12,000 to 20,000 baht each, with payments due upon arrival.
Following their arrest, the illegal immigrants were taken for background checks before being transported to Thong Pha Phum Police Station. The authorities aim to expand the investigation and prosecute those involved according to the law.