BANGKOK – Highway Police in Prachinburi stopped what they believe is a hired transport network moving “Chinese Scammers” from the Chanthaburi border into Bangkok. Two drivers admitted they were paid to carry the passengers, one claiming 10,000 baht per trip, and another saying 3,000 baht per person. Police say the case is now under expanded investigation.
At about 11:00 a.m. on February 12, 2026, officers from the Prachinburi Highway Police unit patrolled Route 359 (Prachinburi to Sa Kaeo). During the patrol, they spotted a suspicious vehicle driving fast and sitting unusually low in the rear, as if heavily loaded. Officers followed and signaled the driver to pull over.
The vehicle was a white Toyota Fortuner with Bangkok plates. The driver, identified as 36-year-old Chonthit Manihto from Nong Bua Lamphu, cooperated during the stop.
When police searched the vehicle, they found nine Chinese passengers, eight men and one woman. Each carried a backpack. Inside the bags, officers found a large amount of equipment, including mobile phones, internet cables, SIM cards, and other items.
Police Seized Phones and Sim Cards
Police counted 244 mobile phones, many still powered on, along with one laptop, one mouse, and 32 SIM cards, plus additional accessories. Officers also reported that none of the passengers could present valid passports.
After that, police took the driver and the group to the Prachinburi Highway Police Station for further questioning.
During the initial interview, Chonthit told police he was hired to pick up the Chinese passengers from the border area in Khao Soi Dao District, Chanthaburi. He said he was promised 10,000 baht to deliver them to Rangsit Market.
He also stated that other vehicles were involved, using the same Route 359 corridor to move more passengers toward Bangkok.
Because of that information, highway police increased patrols along the same route and soon found a second suspicious vehicle. Officers stopped a black Mitsubishi with Bangkok plates. The driver was identified as 35-year-old Nattapong Khamphilek.
Chinese Gangs Moving into Thailand
Inside the Mitsubishi, police found four Chinese men, each with a backpack. Officers reported the bags contained a laptop, personal belongings, clothing, and many mobile phones. Police then brought the driver and passengers in for questioning at the same station.
Nattapong told officers he was paid 3,000 baht per person to take the group to Bangkok. He also admitted he picked them up from the Soi Dao area using natural crossing routes. He said he had done this work three times, including this trip.
Police leadership said officers seized nearly 300 phones across the two vehicles in total. They also reviewed data found on the devices as part of the early investigation, while the drivers admitted they were transporting Chinese nationals for hire.
In the early assessment, investigators believe the Chinese passengers may be linked to scammer networks operating in Cambodia.
Police said pressure from Chinese authorities may have pushed some groups to shift routes and move people across the border into Thailand. Investigators are now coordinating with relevant agencies to expand the case and identify others involved.
