Bangkok: Cambodian nationals were apprehended by border patrol soldiers as they attempted to illegally cross into Thailand, allegedly with the intention of participating in Buddhist Lent ceremonies at a Thai temple.
According to Thai News Agency, the Eastern Command, specifically the Khlong Haad Task Force, had assigned the 13th Ranger Regiment, 1305th Ranger Company, to secure the Thai-Cambodian border following intelligence reports of a potential smuggling operation. The operation was believed to be facilitating the entry of illegal immigrants through natural routes within the area.
Authorities, working with the Khlong Had Task Force's ranger control unit and the 3rd Intelligence Unit of the Burapha Command, organized patrols and surveillance in high-risk zones along the border. While on patrol near Khlong Wawa Mai Village, Moo 7, Thap Phrik Subdistrict, Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province, approximately 1.5 kilometers from the border, they encountered three individuals carrying luggage and moving inland through a natural passageway. The officers identified themselves and conducted a search, confirming the individuals were Cambodian nationals: two men and one woman.
During questioning, the individuals revealed they previously worked in Chachoengsao Province and were invited by friends to return for tourism and religious activities. To bypass immigration checkpoints, they chose to cross the border illegally. Upon inspecting their documents, authorities found that while two had passports, they had not followed legal entry procedures, and the third lacked a passport entirely. Consequently, they were deemed to have entered the country illegally.
Post-arrest, the Cambodian nationals were detained and their arrests documented before being handed over to Khlong Nam Sai Police Station investigators. Military officials stated that the Burapha Task Force, alongside other security agencies, will enhance patrols and surveillance efforts to prevent illegal immigration, human trafficking, and transnational crime, reinforcing their commitment to law enforcement and the security of the Thai-Cambodian border area.