Border Patrol Arrests Four Chinese Men Crossing Mekong River Illegally
Border Patrol Police arrested four Chinese men caught illegally crossing the Mekong River into Thailand near Chiang Saen, along with three Thai nationals accused of assisting them.
Chiang Rai—Border Patrol Police at Chiang Saen checkpoint, working with military and local police, have arrested four Chinese men caught illegally crossing the Mekong River into Thailand. Three Thai citizens have also been detained for allegedly helping or sheltering the foreign nationals.
On August 20, 2025, the Chiang Saen immigration investigation unit, led by Panumasc Bunlaksem, commander of the Border Patrol Police, and Sarawut Khonyi, head of Border Patrol Region 5, received intelligence about smuggling attempts across the Mekong River. Officers from the Border Patrol Police, local forces, Chiang Rai Tourist Police, and Chiang Saen Police conducted surveillance along high-risk sections of the riverbank.
At approximately 12:30 p.m., officers spotted suspicious activity near the riverbank at Ban Pa Sak Hang Wiang, Wiang subdistrict, Chiang Saen district. They observed men emerging from the Mekong River and moved in to apprehend them.
Four Chinese nationals were arrested: Jin Yonggang, 24; Di Jinxin, 39; Guo Yuchen, 33; and Zhang Penghan, 34.
Three Thai nationals were also arrested for allegedly assisting or harboring the foreign nationals: Phutthachat, 53; Ratnaporn, 27; and Chetsada, 22.
All suspects have been handed over to Chiang Saen Police for legal proceedings. Investigators are expanding their inquiry to identify additional routes and individuals involved in the smuggling operation.
