MAE SOT - Thai authorities have arrested 12 Chinese nationals who allegedly entered Thailand illegally from Myanmar near Mahawon Village in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, on July 23.

According to Thai officials, officers from the Mahawon Police Outpost, together with troops from the Ratchamanu Task Force and local administrative authorities, conducted a search operation in a cornfield in Phakhum Village (Mae Khong Khen Village), Moo 2, Maha Wan Subdistrict, following reports of suspicious individuals hiding in the area.

During the operation, authorities discovered 11 Chinese nationals concealed in the cornfield. Ten of them were unable to produce any identification or travel documents, while one individual possessed a valid passport.

The group was questioned with the assistance of a translation application and admitted that they had crossed the Myanmar–Thailand border illegally from the Myanmar side.

In addition, Team 3 also found 1 more Chinese national walking on the side of the road in Mae Ku Village Tract, bringing the total number of Chinese nationals detained to 12.

Currently, relevant military officials have systematically handed over the arrested individuals to the Tak District Immigration Department (Taw Maung), where they will conduct field investigations to further take legal action and trace the links.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case, including efforts to identify those involved in facilitating the illegal border crossing.