Seven Myanmar nationals were arrested yesterday, July 27, after police intercepted a car carrying five undocumented migrants during a late-night alcohol checkpoint in Bangkok.
Officers stopped a black sedan with Kanchanaburi licence plates at a checkpoint on Phetkasem Road in Nong Khaem district. The 25 year old driver, a Myanmar national, and his 33 year old passenger, also from Myanmar, were able to communicate in Thai.
Police found five other Myanmar nationals crammed into the rear of the vehicle, including two men who were allegedly hiding behind the back seats. The five passengers were unable to communicate in Thai and could not produce passports or any immigration documents.
During questioning, the driver and front-seat passenger allegedly admitted they had been hired by a man known only as Joe to transport the five migrants.
Police said the group had crossed into Thailand through a natural border crossing in Kanchanaburi before being taken to a temporary stop in Sam Phran district, Nakhon Pathom.
The pair allegedly told investigators they were transporting the migrants to Samut Prakan for 900 baht per person.
Police seized the car and two notebooks containing records and names allegedly linked to illegal migrant transportation.
The two men were charged with helping illegal migrants enter or remain in Thailand unlawfully. Under Section 64 of Thailand’s Immigration Act, knowingly sheltering, concealing or otherwise assisting a person who has entered the country illegally to avoid arrest carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 50,000 baht, or both.
The five passengers were charged with being in Thailand without permission. Under Section 81 of Thailand’s Immigration Act, the offence carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.
FM91 reported that police are expanding the investigation to locate the alleged organiser, known only as Joe.
Elsewhere, earlier in January, highway police arrested a pickup truck driver and uncovered 25 undocumented Myanmar migrant workers after a late-night pursuit on a major road in Nakhon Sawan.
The story Bangkok checkpoint uncovers five undocumented Myanmar migrants as seen on Thaiger News.
