NAKHON SAWAN: Highway police intercepted two pickups in Phayuha Khiri district early on Tuesday and arrested 44 Myanmar nationals, who were charged with illegal entry.
Pol Maj Kiatiporn Sawasdithep, commander of Highway Police Sub-division 4, said that about 2am a highway patrol signalled two pickups to stop for a search near kilometre marker 312 on Highway 1 in tambon Phayuha Khiri. The back of each vehicle was covered over.
The two pickups sped away. Police gave chase and overtook them, forcing both vehcles to stop.
Police found 33 people on the back of first pickup and 11 on the other. All were from Myanmar and had entered the country illegally.
Pickup driver Pairat Saen-iew said he was promised 10,000 baht if he took his 33 passengers from Tak's Mae Sot district to Suphan Buri.
The other vehicle's driver, Wanchai Sapapak, said he was promised 500 baht for each job seeker he took from Mae Sot district to workplaces in Ayutthaya province.
The illegal migants were all taken to Phayuha Khiri police station for legal proceedings.
The two Thai drivers were charged with providing help to foreigners who had entered the country illegally.
On Monday morning, 43 Myanmar nationals were arrested after illegally crossing the border in three groups into Muang and Mae Sot districts of the northern province of Tak, police said.