18 Thai nationals repatriated from Cambodia arrested in scam investigation
Thai authorities arrested 18 nationals repatriated from Cambodia at the border after discovering their links to online scam networks, including mule bank accounts tied to over 60 fraud cases.
CHANTHABURI — On May 12, 2026, Thai authorities detained 18 Thai nationals repatriated from Cambodia after investigators uncovered their connections to online scam networks, including mule bank accounts tied to more than 60 fraud cases.
Maj. Gen. Phadungsak Raksasuk, commander of Chanthaburi Provincial Police, reported that the group arrived at 10:00 at the Ban Phak Kad permanent border crossing in Pong Nam Ron district following coordination with the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The operation involved officers from Pong Nam Ron police station, Chanthaburi Immigration Police, and military personnel from the Chanthaburi Marine Task Force.
The 18 individuals had recently completed prison sentences in Cambodia for illegal entry and other violations. Upon arrival in Thailand, immigration officers charged them under the Immigration Act for crossing borders outside official checkpoints. Further background checks revealed additional criminal connections.
Four suspects—Wicha Singnan, Ekpot Rattanakorn, Saharat Rattanakorn, and Phachara Phonrit—had outstanding arrest warrants and were immediately transferred to the appropriate jurisdictions.
Investigators identified seven members with links to mule bank accounts used by scam syndicates in the Thai Police Online database. Among them, Phuwadon Nonkhamphai was connected to 17 cases, Thitinan Suwanmek to 16 cases, and Thananan Maplian to 11 cases. Together, the seven suspects were linked to more than 60 fraud-related cases.
Military officials said the suspects would be held for up to seven days under the Martial Law Act of 1914 due to suspected involvement with transnational online crime networks operating along the Thai-Cambodian border.
Authorities indicated the investigation would aim to identify broader criminal networks using the Chanthaburi border as a transit hub for scam operations. Chanthaburi police confirmed they were coordinating with police agencies nationwide to gather evidence and pursue further action against the scam syndicates.
