Laos Deports 78 Thai Nationals Linked to Online Scam Operations
Laos Deports 78 Thai Nationals Linked to Online Scam Operations
CHIANG RAI, Oct. 2, 2026 — Lao authorities handed over 78 Thai nationals at the Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge between Chiang Khong and Huay Xai on October 1, with 76 of them linked to call-centre gang cases and illegal entry, according to Thai immigration officials.
The remaining two individuals were accused of illegal entry alone.
The group was received by officers from Chiang Saen Immigration, although the handover took place at the Chiang Khong-Huay Xai border crossing in Chiang Rai province.
Following the handover, Thai authorities conducted background checks and found that eight of the returnees — four men and four women — were wanted under outstanding arrest warrants in Thailand.
The eight were wanted in connection with allegations including joint fraud, mule-account offences, involvement in a transnational criminal organisation, theft and evasion of military conscription. They were detained and referred for further legal action.
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Thai authorities also screened all 78 returnees under Thailand’s National Referral Mechanism, which is used to identify potential victims of human trafficking. The initial assessment found no trafficking victims among the group.
During questioning, most of the returnees reportedly said they had been attracted by social-media advertisements offering jobs in neighbouring countries with monthly salaries ranging from 18,000 to 25,000 baht.
Thai officials warned that seemingly attractive overseas job offers can expose people to call-centre operations and other criminal activities, potentially resulting in serious criminal charges.
The operation was overseen by Pol Lt Gen Noppasil Phoosawat, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, Pol Maj Gen Decho Sosuwannakul, commander of Immigration Division 5, and Pol Col Phattharapong Inwana, superintendent of the Chiang Saen Immigration checkpoint.
Pol Lt Col Kritwat Amnat, deputy superintendent of the checkpoint, led officers coordinating the reception of the returnees.
After the screening process, the remaining individuals had their information recorded and were allowed to return to their home provinces.
