CHIANG RAI – On 31 December, Police launched a crackdown targeting offences linked to Human Trafficking, money laundering, and mule account activity headed up by Pol. Maj. Gen. Manop Senakul, Commander of Chiang Rai Provincial Police.
Senior officers, including Pol. Col. Chontharit Chatchawan, Deputy Commander, Pol. Col. Passakorn Thawatchiangkun, Investigation Superintendent, Pol. Lt. Col. Suwiwat Boonsiri, Inspector, along with patrol and arrest teams from Mueang Chiang Rai Police Station, inspected seven entertainment venues and businesses within the Chiang Rai City Municipality.
During the operation, police checked tourists and visitors and noticed a man acting unusually. Officers identified themselves and asked to verify his details. He gave his name as Phetphaengkhwan, a 25-year-old Lao national. A search found nothing illegal, but he appeared nervous and gave unclear answers.
After further questioning, he admitted he had entered Thailand to wait for cash that had been withdrawn by a mule-account group. The plan was to take the cash across the border into Laos. He also told police that others in his group were staying at a hotel near Sanambin Road in Rob Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province. Officers took him there and searched the room.
Inside, they found two Lao nationals, Kongkaew (22) and Alek (19). Both said they were responsible for receiving cash from those withdrawing money using mule accounts, then carrying it across to Laos. Police then expanded the enquiry and learned there were more people in other rooms.
Officers checked and found three Thai nationals, Phusanu (20), Thanawat (20), and Supachai (19). All three admitted they opened mule bank accounts to receive money, then withdrew it in cash before handing it to the cross-border courier team.
From interviews and follow-up checks, police were told another part of the group was waiting at a restaurant. Officers went there and detained two more Thai men, Wararat (20) and Jiraphat (20). They also admitted to opening mule accounts and said they were staying at the same hotel.
Police said the network split tasks between opening mule accounts to take in funds and moving cash into the Lao PDR. Two key figures were named as Manita, a 21-year-old Thai woman, and Saeng-arun, a 26-year-old Lao man. They were said to manage the mule accounts and collect cash to pass on to whoever was directing the operation.
In total, officers arrested 10 suspects. They were informed of charges including jointly procuring bank accounts and electronic cards for use in crime, offences linked to being part of a criminal group, and opening or allowing others to use deposit accounts while knowing they would be used for unlawful activity.
Police seized evidence, including mobile phones, cash, bank books, and ATM cards, then handed all items and suspects over to investigators for further legal action.
