SONGKHLA: Fifteen illegal Myanmar workers crammed inside a pickup truck, and the Thai driver, were arrested in Bang Klam district of Songkhla in the early hours of Wednesday.
A police team had waited near a deserted petrol station in tambon Tha Chang following information an attempt would be made to smuggle illegal migrant workers from Chumphon province to Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat, on the border with Malaysia.
They spotted a suspect black pickup truck with Chumphon licence plates travelling the road around 2am.
They followed it and came across the pickup stopped on the side of Lop Buri Ramesuan Road in Bang Klam district with a burst rear left tyre.
A search uncovered 15 illegal migrant workers crammed inside the cab and lying down in the bed of the truck covered with black netting.
Driver Phongyut Noiwaree, 36, of Chumphon, was also detained.
Police said the illegal migrants were destined for Malaysia. They extended the investigation, which led to the arrest of nine more illegal migrant workers from Myanmar at a construction camp in Hat Yai district of this southern province.
All were held in custody at Bang Klam police station pending further investigation police expected would lead to the arrest of those organising the smuggling.
