Chiang Saen Immigration officers arrested four Chinese nationals who illegally entered the country, along with Thai accomplices. They sneaked in through natural routes along the Mekong River. Authorities had been covertly monitoring and tracking their movements for an extended period.
At 07:00 on 21 Aug 2023, under the direction of Police Lieutenant General Phanumas Boonylak, Commander of the Immigration Police, Police Major General Piya Anant Tosakulwong, Deputy Commander of the Immigration Investigation Division (acting), Police Major General Sarawut Khon Yai, Commander of Immigration Division 5, Police Colonel Ekorn Bussababadin, Deputy Commander of Immigration Division 5, Police Colonel Patrapong Inwana, Commander of Chiang Saen Immigration Checkpoint, Police Lieutenant Colonel Kritwat Amnat, Deputy Commander of Chiang Saen Immigration Checkpoint, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Chuleekorn Limwisesak, Officer in charge at Chiang Saen Immigration Checkpoint, coordinated the operation.
On 21 Aug, at around 11:00, the Chiang Saen Immigration investigation team received a tip from informants about foreigners attempting to enter illegally via natural routes along the Mekong River. The information was promptly reported up the chain of command. Police Colonel Patrapong, Commander of Chiang Saen Immigration Checkpoint, ordered the investigation team, led by Lieutenant Colonel Winai Choiban, Deputy Officer in Charge at Chiang Saen Immigration Checkpoint, to coordinate with the Pha Muang Task Force, Chiang Rai Tourist Police, and Chiang Saen Police Station to patrol and surveil the high-risk areas along the Mekong River within their jurisdiction.
At 12:30, officers observed activity near the riverbank at Ban Pa Sak Hang Wiang, Village No. 9, Wiang Subdistrict, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province. They spotted individuals resembling Chinese nationals coming ashore from the Mekong River. The arrest team, lying in wait, identified themselves and apprehended four Chinese nationals: Jin Yongkang, 24, from Jilin Province; Di Jinxin, 39, from Heilongjiang Province; Guo Yuchen, 33, from Hainan Province; and Zhang Penghan, 34, from Heilongjiang Province.
At the same time, authorities arrested three Thai accomplices who helped conceal and assist the group: Mr. Phutchat (surname withheld), nicknamed Ja Dao, 53; Miss Rattanaporn (surname withheld), 27; and Mr. Jetsada (surname withheld), 22. All were handed over to the Chiang Saen Police Station for legal proceedings.