TAK – A group of 325 Chinese nationals detained for illegal entry into Thailand staged a violent riot at an immigration detention center in Mae Sot, Tak province, late Tuesday night in an apparent attempt to avoid deportation to China. The detainees had been arrested after crossing from Myanmar, where they had fled a crackdown on illegal casinos and scam operations.

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The disturbance began around 11:20 p.m. on December 9 at Immigration Detention Centre 2 in Tha Sai Luat subdistrict. According to Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, Deputy Commissioner and Spokesperson of the Immigration Bureau, the detainees started protesting, then attempted to break the metal bars of their holding rooms using their bare hands and personal items. The unrest reportedly escalated from an initial fight among detainees into a coordinated act of defiance.

In response, Pol Maj Gen Sarawut Khonyai, Commander of Immigration Division 5, coordinated with local police, military units, and municipal authorities. Fire engines and water-spraying equipment were dispatched to the scene. Despite negotiations through interpreters, the detainees destroyed inner cell doors and disabled the CCTV system to hinder surveillance.

Hundreds of Chinese detainees riot in Tak https://t.co/7QTUD8hr66

— Bangkok Post (@BKK_POST) December 11, 2025

Officials eventually cut power to the building and used water hoses to disperse the crowd. The situation was brought under control by 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, with all detainees surrendering. One Chinese national, identified as Qian, sustained head injuries during the initial altercation and was taken to Mae Sot Hospital for treatment.

Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonyalug, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, ordered the identification and prosecution of the riot’s ringleaders. Fifteen alleged instigators have been separated and now face charges of property damage, which carries a penalty of up to three years imprisonment, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both. Further investigations may lead to additional charges.

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Immigration authorities are working with the Chinese Embassy to expedite the deportation process for the group. Biometric data of all involved detainees has been recorded to blacklist them from re-entering Thailand in the future.

-Thailand News (TN)