SA KAEO — 13 May 2026, Thai authorities arrested 24 Thai nationals near the Cambodian border while they were allegedly attempting to cross illegally to open so-called “mule accounts” for criminal networks in exchange for payment, officials said.
The arrests were carried out by Khlong Hat Task Force personnel under Burapha Task Force, Ranger Company 1301 and local administrative officers near a forested border area in Ban Non Sao Ae village in Aranyaprathet district.
Officials said the group consisted of 12 men and 12 women who were intercepted while walking along a natural border route in an apparent attempt to cross into Cambodia illegally.
During questioning, all 24 suspects reportedly admitted they had been recruited by brokers to travel to Cambodia to open bank accounts for criminal groups.
The suspects told investigators they had each been promised 25,000 baht for opening the accounts. They said Thai intermediaries had transported them to the border area, where Cambodian contacts were expected to receive them after crossing.
Authorities took the group for further questioning at a ranger unit under the 13th Ranger Regiment before transferring them to Khlong Nam Sai police station for legal proceedings.
