Thai police coordinated the reception of 28 Thai nationals returning to the country at the permanent Ban Phak Kat border checkpoint in Chanthaburi province after a crackdown in Cambodia, including a 20-year-old Lampang student who was tricked into scammer work.
On 14 January 2026 at 09:00, Police Major General Phadungsak Ruksasuk, Commander of Chanthaburi Provincial Police, and Police Colonel Akkapong Suntharawipat, Deputy Commander of Chanthaburi Provincial Police, along with related agencies, investigation units, forensic police, border patrol police, rangers, and medical teams, traveled to receive 29 Thai nationals stranded in Cambodia who wished to return to Thailand. The group consisted of 16 males and 13 females, aged 19 to 28 years (16 people) and 31 to 43 years (13 people). Records showed three had arrest warrants, 11 had Case IDs, and eight had criminal records.
Among those returning was Ronachart, nicknamed Ai Nam, a 20-year-old student from Lampang Technical College. His relatives had previously filed a complaint with the National Police Chief on 7 January 2026 after he was lured into scammer work. This led to coordination with Cambodian authorities to return him along with 29 Thai nationals at the Ban Phak Kat permanent border checkpoint in Khlong Yai Subdistrict, Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi Province.
Relatives of Ai Nam traveled from Lampang to await his return with eager anticipation. His aunt and grandmother wept with tears upon hearing that their grandson was safe and on his way back.
At 12:20, a Cambodian bus arrived at the Cambodian checkpoint. The Thai nationals disembarked and gathered at the Cambodian immigration area, where boxed meals were distributed. At 13:42, all 28 Thai nationals returned accompanied by Thai officials who had gone to receive them. Upon passing through the Ban Phak Kat permanent checkpoint, Ai Nam's father rushed forward to embrace him with concern, tearfully asking about his wellbeing.
Officials then brought everyone inside for sorting and name verification. Of the three individuals with arrest warrants, Cambodian authorities detained one due to charges in Cambodia, reducing the group from 29 to 28.
After sorting, two individuals with arrest warrants were taken by van to Pong Nam Ron Police Station for further legal processing by authorities.
Those with Case IDs, linked to criminal cases or scammer accounts, were screened and contacted with their respective police stations handling the cases. All returnees paid an 800 baht fine to the Immigration Bureau and underwent detailed screening by Social Development and Human Security officials again.
Police Major General Thitawat Suriyachai, Deputy Commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 2, stated that Thai nationals are regularly repatriated from Cambodia depending on the Cambodian embassy's efforts. This time, 29 were reported, with 28 returning. These people are subject to crackdowns and are held in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap while awaiting repatriation.
Among those deceived from Lampang and who filed complaints to the National Police Chief, four of six have now been helped out by the embassy. Authorities will investigate who recruited them. Those with arrest warrants will be summoned for further questioning, distinguishing between warrant cases and Case IDs.
Authorities will separate those with summons or linked to scammer bank accounts by local jurisdiction and send data to those areas. An estimated several thousand Thais remain stranded. The message to job seekers is to be cautious; some were deceived with promises of work in Chanthaburi or Sa Kaeo but ended up in Cambodia without realizing it.
Regarding job recruiters, senior commanders are monitoring all media and social platforms for enforcement and arrests, assuring constant action against these root causes. Transportation means and routes along the border are closely tracked with dedicated teams and weekly coordination meetings with commanders to ensure ongoing oversight.