Ratchamanu Task Force Rescues 39 Expatriates Trapped in Myanmar

[snoop1130]

 

Early this morning, a dramatic rescue operation unfolded as the Ratchamanu Task Force, stationed in Mae Sot district of Tak, rescued 39 individuals, the majority from Sri Lanka. The victims claimed they were trapped in Myanmar's Myawaddy, having been enticed there with illusory job guarantees.

 

The task force swooped in at 5am, intercepting the victims as they attempted to cross the Moei River into the Mae Sot district. The rescue operation was authorised by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand, reflecting the urgency of the situation.

 

The group consisted of a diverse mix - 32 Sri Lankans, 5 Nepalese, 1 Malaysian and a Russian. They reported being ensnared by a Chinese-owned business in Myawaddy, with the verbal obligation, and subsequent reality, of their work conditions proving to be starkly contrasting.

 

 

Once entrenched in Myanmar, they were coerced into extensive work hours. Unbearable as it was, the group reached out to their respective peers and the embassy for help. Their desperate plea led to the prompt intervention by the Ratchamanu Task Force.

 

The exact region of their employment falls under the jurisdiction of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. This area is directly opposite Thailand’s Phop Phra district in the Tak province, hence the quick response by the Tak-based task force. This operation has shed light on the grim conditions of migrant workers and serves as a stern reminder of the exploitative labour practices some industries still partake in.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-11-25