Border Patrol Arrests Lao Man Smuggling Fortuner Into Laos
Thai border patrol forces arrested a 23-year-old Lao man on the Huay River bank in Chiang Khan district while he was modifying a Toyota Fortuner with a raised air intake to drive across the river into Laos. The suspect had purchased the vehicle in Nakhon Pathom for 180,000 baht and was charged under the Customs Act for attempting to illegally export a vehicle without customs clearance.
On October 22, 2026, the Surasinghanat Force, Region 8, Battalion 1, Loei Province, and ranger units led by Captain Ekaphon Kaewwohan, Commander of Border Patrol Company 1, along with Sergeant Kittipong Chaphakdi, driver of Border Patrol Company 1, received intelligence that a black Toyota Fortuner with Bangkok license plates would be smuggled from Thailand to Laos via a natural crossing at Ban Na Jan, Village 1, Pak Tom subdistrict, Chiang Khan district. They coordinated with the 246th Border Patrol Police Company, Chiang Khan district administration, and the Chiang Khan immigration checkpoint to conduct random patrols in risk areas to prevent illegal border activities.
Around 1:30 AM, they found a suspicious vehicle parked on the bank of the Huay River (the natural border river between Thailand and Laos), about 50 meters from the natural crossing point, with the engine off and both front and rear hoods open. Officers identified themselves and used high-powered flashlights to inspect the vehicle, finding Mr. Kamman (or Man) Mungkhunchai, 23, a Lao national from Viengkham village, Keo Oudom district, Vientiane prefecture.
At the time, Mr. Kamman was modifying the front of the vehicle around the engine air filter, using blue PVC pipe to raise the air intake (snorkel) higher to prevent water from entering the engine during the river crossing.
During initial questioning, Mr. Kamman stated he is a Lao citizen who entered Thailand through the Chiang Khan customs checkpoint on October 20 to take possession of the vehicle, which he had arranged to buy from a Thai dealer in Nakhon Pathom province for 180,000 baht. He presented a temporary border pass. Vehicle document checks revealed the registered owner did not match the driver. Officers informed him of his rights and charged him under the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (Section 242) for "attempting to export goods (a vehicle) out of the kingdom that have not yet cleared customs illegally." The suspect and evidence were handed over to Chiang Khan Police Station investigators for further legal proceedings.
