Suspected Call Centre Scam Group Arrested After 30km Chase in Southern Thailand
Suspected Call Centre Scam Group Arrested After 30km Chase in Southern Thailand
NARATHIWAT, June 14, 2026 — Thai highway police arrested four people, including three Chinese nationals, following a high-speed chase spanning more than 30 kilometres in Narathiwat province on Saturday, as authorities investigate possible links to a call centre scam network and an attempted illegal border crossing.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Highway Police Division commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Pornsak Laorujiralai, with officers from Highway Police Sub-Division 5, Division 7 carrying out crime prevention patrols in Cho Airong district.
According to police, officers became suspicious of a grey Toyota passenger vehicle registered in Surat Thani while it was travelling through Ban Luboyoh village in Chuap subdistrict. When police signalled the driver to stop for inspection, the vehicle accelerated and forced its way through a checkpoint.
Officers launched a pursuit that continued for more than 30 kilometres before the fleeing vehicle lost control and crashed off the roadway.
Following the crash, five occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled into nearby woodland. Police quickly sealed off the area and launched a search operation, resulting in the arrest of four suspects.
Those detained were identified as Thai national Kori, 48, who was driving the vehicle, and three Chinese nationals: Zhao Bao, 40, Wang Bing Feng, 34, and Tu Hong Fei, 26. A second Thai national managed to escape and remains the subject of an ongoing manhunt.
Investigators said the Chinese nationals were behaving suspiciously and appeared to be travelling toward the southern border. Authorities believe they may have been attempting to leave Thailand illegally and are examining possible connections to a transnational call centre scam network.
Further background checks revealed that one of the Chinese suspects is wanted by authorities in China on allegations related to organising illegal gambling operations.
During questioning, Kori told police he had been hired to transport the three Chinese nationals from a border area and claimed he was unaware of the purpose of their journey. The Chinese suspects reportedly admitted entering Thailand illegally and said their travel arrangements had been organised by other individuals.
Police charged Kori with assisting foreign nationals to evade arrest and conceal their unlawful presence in the country. The three Chinese nationals were charged with illegally entering and remaining in Thailand without permission.
All four suspects were transferred to investigators at Cho Airong Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the remaining Thai suspect and are expanding their investigation into possible links between the group and wider transnational criminal organisations operating in the region.
