Thai Driver Arrested in Sa Kaeo for Transporting Nine Illegal Cambodian Migrants
A Thai man has been arrested in the eastern province of Sa Kaeo, near the Cambodian border, for transporting nine Cambodian nationals without legal travel or immigration documents. The arrest took place on Sunday along Highway 33 in front of Sakaeo Technological College, Muang district, according to Pol Maj Gen Kongkrit Lertsitthikul, commander of the highway police.
The suspect, identified as 49-year-old Sathit Chanthasri, was driving a black Mitsubishi pickup truck when officers stopped him for inspection. In the bed of the truck, police discovered seven Cambodian men and two women, none of whom possessed the required entry or work permits.
Authorities reported that Sathit initially claimed he had been hired for 1,500 baht to pick up the Cambodians in Kanchanaburi province, which borders Myanmar, and drive them to the Ban Laem border crossing in Chanthaburi province, also bordering Cambodia.
However, the Cambodian migrants told investigators a different story. Speaking through an interpreter, they stated they had illegally crossed into Sa Kaeo from Cambodia and were en route to Samut Prakan province, near Bangkok, to take up construction jobs.
Both the driver and the nine Cambodians were taken to Muang Sa Kaeo provincial police station for legal processing. The case is being investigated for possible links to larger human smuggling operations in the region.
Thailand’s eastern provinces, particularly those adjacent to Cambodia, have long been hotspots for cross-border migration. With high demand for low-cost labor in construction and agriculture, smugglers frequently exploit vulnerable individuals seeking work.
The incident comes amid heightened border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, which have reportedly led tens of thousands of Cambodians to leave Thailand over the past month. The mass departures have left many Thai employers struggling to fill labor shortages, particularly in industries reliant on migrant workers.
Police have urged the public to remain alert and report suspected smuggling activities to curb illegal migration and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation. Authorities say they will continue to monitor major highways, border crossings, and known smuggling routes to intercept future attempts.
This case underscores the ongoing challenges Thailand faces in balancing border security, labor market needs, and humanitarian concerns in managing cross-border movement.
