MAE SOT – Police report they stopped a pickup believed to be transporting Chinese nationals into Thailand illegally, after the driver tried to flee a checkpoint, drove against traffic, and slammed into another vehicle, flipping the pickup upside down. Two people were reported injured.
On Jan 19, 2026, officers from Patrol Operations Unit 1 at Mae Sot Police Station set up a checkpoint to screen for migrant workers and illegal items. The checkpoint was on Seree Thai Road in Mae Sot District, Tak.
A black Ford Ranger (extended cab), license plate บว.4540 สระบุรี, approached the area. Police said the truck appeared normal at first. But once the driver saw the checkpoint, he made a sudden U-turn and drove the wrong way.
Seeing suspicious behavior, officers alerted the radio center and called other patrol teams to help block the route. Police followed using both a patrol car and motorcycles.
Authorities said the truck sped off at a very high rate of speed to avoid arrest. The chase ended when the truck lost control and collided with other vehicles near the irrigation canal intersection, close to the Mae Tao junction in Mae Tao Subdistrict.
Several vehicles were damaged. Police said there were two injuries reported at the scene. A motorcycle was also involved.
Driver arrested, six Chinese passengers detained
Police checked the truck and identified the driver as Chalermphon, 36, from Dong Din Daeng Subdistrict, Nong Muang District, Lopburi (identified after the fact).
Inside the vehicle, officers found six Chinese passengers, two men and four women. Police asked to see travel documents for entry into Thailand. Officers said none of the passengers could show valid documents.
Police believe the group may have crossed from Myanmar and could be tied to an online scam network, although they said a full investigation is still underway.
Police detained all seven Chinese suspects and filed the following charges:
- Suspect 1 (the driver): hiding or assisting foreign nationals to evade arrest, reckless driving, driving without regard for others’ safety, and disobeying an official order
- Suspects 2 to 7 (the Chinese passengers): entering and staying in Thailand without permission
All suspects were handed over to investigators at Mae Sot Police Station for further legal action.
Many residents came out to watch after the crash. Witnesses criticized the driver, saying people who had nothing to do with the case ended up suffering. Locals also urged authorities to punish those responsible and make them pay for the damage.
