Fourteen Cambodians Caught Sneaking Into Thailand
Thai military forces arrested 14 Cambodian nationals attempting to illegally cross into Thailand through Sakaew Province on July 14, seeking work in Bangkok and nearby provinces. The smugglers leading the group fled when rangers approached,
On July 14, 2025, military forces from the Burapha Command and the 1206 Ranger Unit conducted border patrols in Aranyaprathet District, Sakaew Province, when they discovered a group of men, women, and children trekking through natural forest paths near Noen Samphoem village. All 14 were identified as Cambodian nationals who had entered Thailand illegally—six men, seven women, and one boy. Ten had passports; four had no identification documents.
Upon questioning, the detainees explained they had previously worked in Thailand but returned to Cambodia last year and could not find employment. They contacted human smugglers and agreed to pay 5,000–8,000 baht per person to be smuggled back into Thailand to find work in markets in Pathum Thani, Rayong, and Bangkok.
"Three smugglers led us on foot through natural passages during the night to avoid detection," one detainee recounted. "But on our way to meet a pickup vehicle near Kud Hin village, we encountered ranger patrols. The three smugglers ran into a sugarcane field and abandoned us, and we were arrested."
The 14 Cambodians have been handed over to Khlong Nam Sai Police Station for prosecution on illegal entry charges. Authorities are pursuing the three smugglers who escaped.
