27-6-2023 (BANGKOK) Thai authorities have arrested three illegal Chinese immigrants and a Thai man who sheltered them during police raids in Ubon Ratchathani province. The Chinese men were waiting to be transported to towns in the North and the East to work for phone scam and online gambling gangs based in a neighboring country.
Teams of police, soldiers, and local officials raided five border villages in Khemmarat and Pho Sai districts on Monday afternoon, acting on information that Chinese men who entered the country illegally were hiding there. The operation was led by Ubon Ratchathani immigration chief Pol Col Chatchai Samniang.
Jiang Jiang, 33, Cheng Mao Sheng, 19, and Zao Hui Fan, 22, were arrested in Khemmarat district along with Thai villager Phornphana Buddaphan, 46. The Chinese men were charged with illegal entry, and Mr. Phornphana with hiding them. A van used for smuggling was also seized.
The investigation revealed that the Chinese nationals were brought in from Laos and were to be transported to their final destination after staying at Mr. Phornphana’s house for one night. He had been paid 4,000 baht per head and had done this three times previously.
Pol Col Chatchai said the arrests were in line with the policy implemented by national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas and deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakarn, to crack down on illegal migrants along the northeastern border.
Chinese nationals have been illegally entering the country through this area to work for and run illegal businesses, the provincial immigration police chief said. The investigation is being extended to arrest other Thais involved in the smuggling of Chinese illegals.
