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CHIANG RAI – Provincial authorities are toughening screening measures against the illicit cross-border trade of motorized vehicles in and out of Chiang Rai province.
Navy officials patrolling the Mekong River in Chiang Rai have set up checkpoints in Chiang Khong and Chiang Saen districts. Officials have been ordered to guard high risk areas and closely scrutinize registration documents.
The new measures were implemented after three pickup trucks were seized at the border over the past two weeks.
Navy officials have reported a rash of vehicle smuggling’s to Laos due to the high demand.
Many of the vehicles are four-wheel drive trucks valued at 100,000 – 500,000 baht. Those confiscated were reported stolen or related to auto loan delinquency.