Police have arrested a Thai national allegedly smuggling an illegal Chinese immigrant into Thailand.

Local and immigration officers jointly detained Aunkum Chaiwong, 56, a Thai local accused of sneaking a Chinese man into northern Chiang Rai province on November 24.

Aunkum is suspected to have violated Thailand's Immigration Act after helping Zhang Bowen, 25, cross the border from Laos.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Nattawant Mitkun, inspector at the Chiang Saen District immigration checkpoint, said: 'We tracked down the hotel they were staying at and found Aunkum parking his two-wheeler outside room number 4 of the establishment.

'We saw that he was picking up a Chinese man and putting the luggage behind the motorcycle.'

Zhang was also arrested for staying in Thailand without permission. He was unable to produce a passport and immigration documents. Officers said there were also no records of him travelling into and out of Thailand.

The Chinese man claimed he had crossed the borders 'through natural channels,' passing through Bokeo province in Laos around three to four days before his arrest.

He said: 'I wanted to travel around Chiang Rai. A car came to pick me up on November 24 and dropped me off at the hotel. Afterwards, I called Aunkum to bring me back to Laos.'

Following preliminary investigations, both Aunkum and Zhang were taken in police custody while prosecutions are proceeding.