In Kamphaeng Phet, a Toyota Fortuner carrying Chinese nationals crashed into a tree, killing three instantly. Authorities found 23 mobile phones, believed linked to a transnational scam call center gang. Immigration officials in Kamphaeng Phet revealed the vehicle was on a watchlist for illegal cross-border migrant labor transport networks.
At 06:20 on 22 January 2026, Police Lieutenant Colonel Anon Rueangwong, Investigation Officer of Prankratay Police Station, along with Mr. Seksan Sarakarn, District Chief of Prankratay, and rescue volunteers from the Sawang Kamphaeng Phet Thammasathan Foundation, inspected the accident scene. The crash occurred on Prankratay-Wang Prachop Road, Village 4, Ban Lan Krating, Wang Kwang Subdistrict, Prankratay District, Kamphaeng Phet Province.
At the scene, a black Toyota Fortuner with license plate 3 กญ 6989 Bangkok was found severely damaged at the front and right side. Inside, three deceased were trapped: a 57-year-old Thai driver named Mr. Panthip Selamat from Phakhao District, Loei Province, and two Chinese passengers. A search uncovered 23 smartphones packed in a shoulder bag. Evidence included device separation and number assignment by key international cities such as Miami and Texas (USA), indicating operation by a call center or scam gang.
Police Lieutenant Yodrak Rodphairee, Deputy Immigration Inspector of Kamphaeng Phet, disclosed the vehicle had a history on a watchlist for illegal migrant labor transport gangs. In November 2025, it was recorded entering Kamphaeng Phet and evading authorities before the current accident occurred.
Officials initially suspect the vehicle was hired to transport foreigners to neighboring countries, based on communication devices found that clearly link to scam gang networks. Authorities will verify whether the vehicle registration is genuine or fake and analyze phone data to identify accomplices.
Meanwhile, CCTV footage at the crash site showed the vehicle traveling at moderate speed but suddenly veered directly into a tree without braking.