Chumphon highway police intercepted two Thai men driving a van carrying five Chinese nationals. Mobile phone data containing videos linked the case to a Cambodian call center gang involved in illegal immigration. The suspects confessed to receiving 20,000 baht payment to deliver the group to the southern border.
On 31 Aug 2026 GMT+7, a reporter was informed by Police Lieutenant Colonel Kla Sombatpiboon, inspector of Chumphon Highway Police Station, that at 23:40 on 30 Aug 2026 GMT+7, highway police officers from Division 4, Subdivision 2, led by Lieutenant Colonel Wimon Kaewchu and several officers, arrested suspects involved in illegal smuggling of foreigners on Asian Highway 41 at kilometer 20 outbound, Wisai Nuea subdistrict, Mueang district, Chumphon province.
During patrol to prevent crime, officers noticed a brown HYUNDAI H-1 private car with Bangkok license plates overtaking them suspiciously with curtains tightly closed. They signaled for a stop and found Mr. Somprasop, 53, driving, with Mr. Preecha, 38, seated beside him.
A search inside the vehicle found five Chinese nationals: Mr. Lin Gun (30) and Mr. He Dachun (39) had passports but no entry permits, while Mr. Zhang Guizi (30), Mr. Xie Jia (35), and Mr. Jiang Jiahui (38) had no travel documents. Authorities seized the vehicle and eight mobile phones as evidence.
Through an interpreter, the Chinese suspects admitted to having fled on foot into Thailand via natural routes from Cambodia, intending to proceed to Malaysia.
The two Thai suspects confessed they were hired via the LINE app by users named “Rich and Lucky” (called Police Captain) and “Mr. Bas” to pick up three Chinese nationals from Si Khao Road, Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani, and two from a PTT gas station on Rama 2 Road, to deliver them to “Bang Sam” in Chana district, Songkhla province. They agreed on a 20,000 baht fee (10,000 baht each), with a deposit already transferred to Mr. Somprasop’s account.
Examination of the mobile phones revealed video clips inside a crowded building presumed to be in Cambodia, showing young workers hiding from authorities’ crackdowns. There were also images of Thai and foreign banknotes and gold bars. Some clips showed the detained Chinese walking through natural border crossings. All evidence linked to a call center gang in Cambodia was seized for further investigation.
Initially, authorities charged Mr. Somprasop and Mr. Preecha with knowingly harboring foreigners who entered the kingdom illegally, helping them evade arrest. The five Chinese nationals were charged with illegal entry and residence. Investigations will expand into related online fraud crimes to identify major perpetrators. The suspects were handed over to Subdistrict Police Station Wisai Nuea’s Deputy Inspector Sub-lieutenant Sudarat Buayong for legal proceedings.
