Two Thai nationals have been arrested in Phetchaburi on charges related to the smuggling of 26 Rohingya individuals. The arrests came shortly after a group of 10 Rohingya, consisting of eight men and two women, were found near a temple in Lang Suan district of Chumphon. A Buddhist monk heard their cries for help and reported the incident to the authorities after discovering two deceased bodies.
Initial investigations revealed that the 10 individuals were part of a larger group of 26 Rohingya who were being transported from Mae Sot district in Tak to Songkhla, with the intention of eventually reaching Malaysia. The smugglers, upon finding two members dead and eight others too exhausted to continue, decided to abandon them near the temple.
The chief of Lang Suan police station, Pol Col Chalard Palanakarn, confirmed that evidence gathered at the scene led to the issuance of warrants for three suspects involved in the smuggling operation. Two suspects have already been apprehended in Phetchaburi, and two modified pickup trucks were seized as part of the investigation. Authorities are currently conducting a manhunt for the third suspect.
The investigation has now expanded to explore possible links to human trafficking networks. Police reports indicate that the 26 Rohingya individuals were initially picked up in Mae Sot before being transported to Songkhla. To avoid detection at police checkpoints, multiple vehicles were used during the operation, including a lead car to scout for potential roadblocks.
Upon reaching Lang Suan, some of the Rohingya were found dead while others were too weak to continue the journey. The smugglers made the decision to abandon the group and proceeded with the remaining passengers. Local villagers became suspicious after noticing a pickup truck in the area, which they assumed was delivering goods. Subsequent police inspection of the scene uncovered water bottles and tyre marks.
An interpreter assisting the authorities revealed that the truck had originally carried 26 individuals, all part of a larger Rohingya group that had traveled from Rakhine state in Myanmar to Tak. Many members of the group were left behind in Mae Sot due to their inability to pay for transportation, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by these vulnerable individuals.