At 3:00 PM on November 16, authorities in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, intercepted an 18-wheel semi-truck modified to conceal illegal migrants. Acting on a tip-off, a team comprising soldiers from the 443rd Company of the Rachamanu Task Force, Mae Sot Police, and local administrative officers stopped the vehicle at a checkpoint near the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Ban Wang Takhian.
The truck, driven by Mr. Obnithi (surname withheld), was found to have a wooden compartment under its chassis, hiding eight illegal migrants—six men and two women. Both the driver and the migrants were detained. Mr. Obnithi was charged with aiding and concealing individuals illegally entering Thailand, and the truck was confiscated.
Colonel Natthakorn Rueantip, commander of the Rachamanu Task Force, ordered stricter border controls to curb illegal crossings and smuggling activities, focusing on weapons, drugs, and undocumented migrants.