Thai media on 18/2 quoted Thammanoon Wanna, commander of a naval special unit, stating that a group of 13 Vietnamese nationals had attempted to enter Thailand via a border crossing in Laem Klat commune, Muang district, Trat province, intending to surrender a day earlier.

Thai officials arrested six Vietnamese citizens in Muang district, Trat province, on 17/2. Photo: Bangkok Post

According to Thammanoon, six individuals from the group successfully crossed a barbed wire fence, while seven remain missing. The six arrested were subsequently handed over to police at Banthaluen station for further investigation and face charges of illegal entry.

Tran Phuoc Tai, one of the arrested, claimed he and his group were lured into Cambodia by Chinese nationals with false promises of work. They were offered a salary of nearly 400 USD per month but never received any payment. Instead, they were forced into scamming operations, subjected to beatings, and had their passports confiscated, prompting them to risk escape in search of help.

Ngoc Anh (According to Bangkok Post, Khaosod, Yahoo News)