Authorities Investigate 149 Myanmar Workers Cramped in 4 Small Houses in Khon Kaen

Georgealbert · September 7

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

Authorities in Khon Kaen have launched an investigation after discovering 149 Myanmar migrant workers living in cramped conditions across four small houses. Immigration officials emphasized that any movement of foreign workers must be reported within 24 hours, while agents responsible claimed the workers had only arrived the previous night.

On September 7, police chief Col. Sarayut Kankham of Ban Haet Police Station, Khon Kaen, together with District Chief Pitanon Panya and other local officials, raided an unnumbered rental house in the Non Kluay Hom community after receiving reports that 97 Myanmar workers were residing there.

Additional inspections were carried out at another rental house in the Nong Hai area of Ban Haet district, where another 52 workers were found. All 149 workers were brought together for further inspection at the Non Kluay Hom location. Upon checking their passports and entry documents, it was confirmed that all of them had valid passports and legal entry permits. Officials proceeded to verify the names against their documents, which were found to match.

District Chief Pitanon Panya stated that local authorities had been notified the previous night of the workers’ arrival by the village head of Non Kluay Hom, who suspected that the group had been brought in from Myanmar, as indicated by their attire. The workers arrived in three buses and were dispersed among four locations, with 40-50 people in each. This prompted officials to conduct an immediate investigation.

Upon inspecting the houses, officials noted that the first house was overcrowded with around 40 people, while another house just 100 metres away held 57 more workers. Two additional locations in a nearby village housed 38 and 14 workers.

Further investigation by immigration officials is underway to verify if the workers had entered Thailand through legal channels. It was revealed that two Thai agents were responsible for bringing the workers into Thailand via the Ranong border. The workers had reportedly stayed one night in Bangkok before heading to Khon Kaen for employment.

Pitanon expressed concerns over the living conditions, emphasising that housing 40-50 people in small homes violated health and safety regulations. If the workers were found to have entered legally, their agents would be required to find suitable accommodations. However, if any irregularities were discovered, the authorities would take appropriate action.

The need for migrant workers, Pitanon explained, stems from certain labour shortages in jobs that Thai citizens are unwilling to take. While the law permits the legal recruitment of foreign workers, all processes must be conducted correctly and transparently to avoid issues like this.

-- 2024-09-08