Aranyaprathet: A team from the 12th Ranger Regiment and the Burapha Force apprehended Cambodians who illegally entered Thailand near Salong Kong Village in Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province. They were seeking work because there were no jobs available in their home country. They agreed to pay a commission of 6,000-8,500 baht per person.
According to Thai News Agency, around 3 a.m., the 1206th Ranger Company, part of the 12th Ranger Regiment’s control unit, and the Burapha Force captured 31 Cambodians who had crossed the border seeking employment. The migrants admitted they were driven by a lack of job opportunities in Cambodia.
The 1206th Ranger Company managed to apprehend nine Cambodians who had entered a sugarcane field at Salong Kong Village, near the Aranyaprathet Checkpoint. Initial investigations pointed to a smuggling network facilitating the illegal entry of migrant workers into Thailand, charging commissions of 6,000-8,500 baht per person. The network allegedly provided accommodation and job placements once the migrants arrived. Some of the migrants previously worked in Rayong Province’s construction sector, while others were involved in selling clothes at Pratunam.
One arresting officer noted that over 100 illegal immigrants, including Cambodians, Chinese, Burmese, and Thais, have been apprehended this month. Many of these individuals are believed to have voluntarily left the country.
An arrested individual recounted crossing into Cambodia for work in July, only to return to Thailand after not receiving his salary. He had worked in construction previously and was now seeking employment again in Thailand. Another arrestee shared an incident where a guide stole his bag containing 10,000 Thai baht and an iPhone 15 Pro Max during the crossing.
Additionally, the Burapha Task Force deployed a heat-sensing drone near a sugarcane field, discovering 22 Cambodian workers attempting to enter Thailand on foot. They confessed to having paid a Cambodian broker 7,000 baht each for the journey. An 18-year-old was also apprehended for allegedly leading the group into Thailand, charging only 1,000 baht.
All apprehended individuals will face legal proceedings, while officials continue to monitor the border to curb illegal immigration.