Key points:
- Five individuals, including two Chinese nationals, caught trying to enter Cambodia illegally
- Smuggler admits to being paid THB600 (US$18.20) per person
- Two Thai women arrested returning via unauthorised route from gambling trip
As reported by The Nation, Thai military personnel in Chanthaburi province have intercepted a group attempting to cross the border into Cambodia to seek employment in casinos.
The group included three Thai nationals and two Chinese men, all travelling in a pickup truck along an unauthorised trail near the Pong Nam Ron canal.
The incident occurred on Sunday when troops stationed at Ban Pa Wilai spotted the vehicle attempting to navigate the natural border crossing. The driver, identified as 52-year-old Pakpoom, a local resident, was taken into custody along with the five passengers.
Pakpoom told officials that he had been paid THB600 per person to smuggle the group into Cambodia, where they intended to work in casino-related roles. All six individuals have been transferred to Chanthaburi immigration authorities for further legal proceedings on charges related to illegal border crossing.
Good to know: Unregulated routes in border provinces remain active conduits for individuals seeking gambling-related work in neighbouring Cambodia, where regulation is looser
In a separate incident on Saturday night, two Thai women were detained by security forces near the Klong Luek border in Sa Kaeo province after attempting to re-enter the country illegally. Authorities believe the pair had returned from gambling activities in Cambodia and chose to bypass official checkpoints.
Both cases highlight ongoing challenges faced by Thai authorities in policing cross-border movements linked to the casino industry. Investigations are ongoing.
