KANCHANABURI, Thailand – A dramatic chase unfolded on March 11, when a young man from the Mon community, driving a pickup truck loaded with migrant workers, managed to break through a checkpoint and flee from authorities. The incident occurred in the area of Wangkrachae Sub-district, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi Province.
At 11:00 AM, an urgent tip-off from the Kanchanaburi Immigration Police led to the formation of a coordinated effort between various security forces, including military, local police, and other authorities. They set up roadblocks along the 323 Sai Yok-Kanchanaburi road to catch a suspected vehicle that was transporting illegal workers from Myanmar into Thailand.
When the authorities attempted to stop the pickup truck at a checkpoint, the driver ignored the signal and sped away, heading towards the Wangkracha area. A chase ensued, lasting for over 12 kilometers, as the driver attempted to evade capture. He eventually stopped in the area behind Ban Kaeng Salawat School, realizing he could no longer escape. The driver, identified as 23-year-old Weerapong (surname withheld), a local resident of Ban Wangka, was taken into custody.
Inside the vehicle, authorities found nine migrant workers, including six women and three men, all crammed into the truck. Additionally, there were two children among the group. Weerapong admitted to having been hired to transport the workers for a payment of 500 baht per person. His destination was a meeting point in Nongbua Sub-district, where another driver would take over the transport.
The migrant workers, who were mainly from Myanmar, revealed they had illegally crossed into Thailand through the Phra Chedi Sam Ong area in Sangkla Buri District. After crossing, they boarded a boat and were transported by multiple vehicles before reaching the point where Weerapong picked them up. They were heading to work in Bangkok, though the exact terms of their payment were yet to be negotiated.
Authorities are continuing their investigation and have taken legal action against Weerapong for smuggling migrant workers into Thailand without proper authorization.
