CHIANG RAI: Police arrested a Marine Department official who allegedly smuggled eight Chinese nationals into the country.
Last night, joint forces led by Pol Lt Col Kittiphum Kanjini, deputy chief of Chiang Saen Police Station, and Sub-Lt Vathit Thampradit of the navy’s Mekong Riverine Unit patrolled the natural border around the Ban Sob Kok community in Chiang Rai’s Chiang Saen district, where a suspicious vehicle was found.
They approached a Toyota Fortuner and found Korakot Chankaew, 36, inside. He was later identified as an official working with an IT division under the Marine Department.
Also in the car were eight male Chinese nationals aged between 21 and 33 years old who reportedly did not hold identification papers, such as IDs and passports.
Officers also found a licensed 9mm Sig Sauer pistol, two magazines and seven bullets in a tote bag on the passenger seat, said Pol Lt Col Kittiphum.
During questioning, Mr Korakot reportedly said he picked up eight Chinese nationals to transport them across a bridge crossing the Kok River in tambon Yonok in Chiang Saen. They were then supposed to be driven to Muang district by another driver.
Mr Korakot was charged with assisting aliens to enter the kingdom illegally under the Immigration Act and possessing a weapon in public areas without necessary causes.
All eight Chinese were charged with entering the kingdom without a visa. They were sent to the Ban Saeo police station for more legal proceedings.