2 foreigners arrested for human trafficking

The Thai authorities are hunting down the mastermind of human smuggling syndicate, former government official Pajjuban Aungkachotephan or "Ko Tong", who is said to be currently hiding in Pulau Langkawi.

The local police arrested two foreigners in connection to the human smuggling syndicate, reports the Sin Chew Daily.

Langkawi police chief Harrith Kam Abdullah said the two foreign men were picked up at different locations last night. They are being probed for involvement in the smuggling of Bangladeshis and Myanmar Rohingya into the country.

However, the police have dismissed "rumors" that the mastermind of the syndicate is currently hiding in Langkawi.

The two arrested foreigners are both in their twenties. One of them was arrested in Kampung Padang Putih area at about 9:00pm while the other was picked up at a budget hotel in Kuah at about 9:30pm

"They do not carry identification documents, and the police are conducting the investigation under the Immigration Act 1959/63 Article 61 (a) for their involvement in the smuggling of over a thousand Bangladeshis and Rohingya into the country in recent days."

Harrith Kam also said the police would work with other enforcement units such as Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) to step up surveillance of territorial waters round the clock to prevent further influx of illegal migrants into Langkawi.

Bt204m worth assets seized from trafficking suspects

The value of assets frozen or seized from those suspected of trafficking Rohingya and other migrants has hit Bt204 million so far, an area police commander, tasked with suppressing the illicit business, said yesterday.

Some Bt100 million worth of the assets are based in Ranong province, Bt29 million in Satun and another Bt75 million in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pol Maj-General Paween Phongsirin said, adding that the assets can be reclaimed if the owners can produce valid proof of purchase, reports The Nation.

So far, two key suspects turned themselves in to police on Wednesday, namely Malay Tohdin, chairman of the Poo Yoo Tambon Administrative Organisation; and businessman Suria “Koh Chai” Ahmad. Their surrender has brought the total suspects in custody to 26, while a manhunt is on for the remaining 35.

However, police said Malay had denied all charges filed against him, but did not provide details on Suria’s response to the charges he faces.