NONG KHAI, Thailand – Immigration police and Border Patrol Police have arrested eight Chinese nationals accused of entering Thailand illegally from Laos, along with a Thai man suspected of transporting them and a Lao national accused of arranging accommodation and supplies.
The arrests took place on October 20 following a joint operation by Nong Khai Immigration Police and Border Patrol Police Company 245.
Police arrested the Thai suspect, identified as Wasin Tenakul, 59, after he allegedly drove a grey Toyota Hilux Vigo pickup truck to collect the eight Chinese men near the Mekong River in Kuan Wan subdistrict, Mueang Nong Khai district. He reportedly transported them to Check Inn Resort, where they were to wait before continuing to provinces further inland.
Officers also arrested Vayu Thammavongsa, 48, a Lao national, who allegedly used a white Volkswagen ID.4 to travel to the resort, arrange rooms for the group and deliver packed meals and drinking water while they waited for onward transport.
During questioning, Wasin reportedly told investigators that a Thai friend had hired him to collect the Chinese nationals, offering 4,000 baht if the job was completed.
Vayu allegedly said a Thai woman whose identity he did not know had hired him to arrange accommodation and provide food and water for the group while they waited for another person to take them further into Thailand.
One of the Chinese men, identified as Jia Wen Jie, 23, reportedly told police that a Chinese leader based in Laos had recruited the group with promises of higher wages in Thailand. The leader allegedly arranged for them to cross the Mekong River and organised transport from the riverbank to the resort before their onward journey.
The eight Chinese nationals were identified as Zhang Zhuo Ru, 18; Jia Wen Jie, 23; Zhou Dong Dong, 23; Xiang Kang Ning, 22; Shuai Qi Hang, 29; Song Yong, 24; Liao Chuan, 26; and Yan Jun Geng, 36.
Police said Jia had a previous record involving illegal entry into Thailand and had already been convicted in a case under the jurisdiction of the Surin Court.
The Thai suspect faces allegations of transporting or assisting foreign nationals to enter Thailand illegally and helping them evade arrest. The Lao suspect faces an allegation of providing shelter or other assistance to help people who entered illegally avoid arrest.
The eight Chinese nationals were charged with entering Thailand without permission.
All 10 suspects, together with the seized vehicles, were handed over to investigators at Mueang Nong Khai Police Station for further legal proceedings.
