CHUMPHON, THAILAND – An 18-wheel truck veered off a highway, leading to the discovery of a suspected human smuggling operation and the arrest of its driver and ten undocumented foreign nationals.
Accident on Wet Road at Kilometer Marker 12
At 5:50 AM on June 5, an Isuzu tractor-trailer skidded off the road at kilometer marker 12 on Asia Highway 41, ending up in a roadside ditch. The tractor and trailer, both registered in Songkhla, sustained only minor damage. Police indicated the driver likely lost control on the wet surface.
Resident Discovers Hidden Individuals Behind His Home
A local resident, referred to as Mr. Joe, reported that the truck had blocked the access road to his home early that morning, preventing him from driving to take students to school. After the vehicle was moved, he found ten foreigners hiding in the grass and vegetation nearby and immediately alerted the police.
Police Secure Area and Arrest Individuals
Officers from the Ban Wisai Nuea Police Station cordoned off the area and apprehended eight men and two women, whose nationalities were not immediately confirmed. Authorities suspect they may be migrant workers from Myanmar. The individuals were taken for questioning and document verification.
Driver Details Pick-up Location and Agreed Payment
The 50-year-year-old driver, identified as Somkid Tipsombat from Songkhla province, stated he had picked up the ten individuals in Wang Manao, Phetchaburi province, for a payment of 10,000 Baht. He further explained that he was transporting electronic goods from Nakhon Ratchasima to Malaysia and was supposed to carry the migrants on the same journey.
Migrants Hid at Driver’s Instruction
According to police, the driver had instructed the individuals to leave the vehicle and hide in bushes and behind properties, apparently to avoid quick detection. Thanks to the resident’s tip-off, officers were able to locate and apprehend all ten individuals hiding.
Driver and Migrants in Custody – Investigations Underway
Police Lieutenant Colonel Somboon Kanjana of the Ban Wisai Nuea Police Station confirmed that the driver and the ten foreign nationals are in custody. Questioning and document checks are ongoing. Investigators are broadening their inquiry to identify potential masterminds, facilitators, and recruiters involved in the suspected human trafficking network.