Myanmar Offers Assistance to Repatriate Thai Nationals

BANGKOK (NNT) - Myanmar has pledged to assist in the repatriation of 164 Thai nationals detained in the town of Laukkaing in Shan State, following discussions with a senior Thai police official.

Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn traveled to Yangon on November 6 where he received confirmation from Myanmar officials that the Thais would be returned.

During his visit, Pol Gen Surachate met with high-ranking police officials in Myanmar to negotiate the release of the Thais, who were accused of participating in call center fraud operations. The Thai official presented the case that the majority of the detainees were, in fact, victims of human trafficking coerced into working for these gangs.

The situation is complicated by the fact that Laukkaing is located in a region beset by armed conflict. The plan is to initially move the Thai detainees to Kunming in China via the northern border and then facilitate their journey back to Thailand.

According to Pol Gen Surachate, the Chinese government has already given its consent for the Thais to enter China, and Thailand is in the process of finalizing the repatriation arrangements with both Myanmar and Chinese authorities.

By Krajangwit Johjit