Picture courtesy of ThaiRath.

 

In the early hours of January 19, military personnel patrolling the Thai-Myanmar border apprehended 32 Indonesian nationals illegally crossing into Thailand. The group, consisting of 30 men and two women, was intercepted near Ban Wang Takian Tai, Village 7, Tha Sai Luat Subdistrict, Mae Sot District, Tak Province.

 

The operation, conducted by the Rachamanu Task Force, Naresuan Task Force, Mae Sot Immigration Police, and local administrative officials, revealed that the group had crossed from Myanmar’s Myawaddy region via natural border routes.

 

Preliminary investigations showed that the group had been working in Myawaddy but no longer wished to continue their employment. Without any travel documents or passports, they attempted to cross into Thailand with the hope of returning to Indonesia. Biometric checks confirmed that none of the individuals had previously legally entered Thailand.

 

The 32 individuals reported that they were either tricked or lured to work in Myawaddy, a region notorious for its high concentration of call centre operations. These operations are often associated with organised crime and human trafficking, with some workers being enticed by promises of lucrative wages while others are coerced into employment.

 

The border region, particularly along the banks of the Moei River in Myawaddy, has seen the rise of fortified compounds resembling prisons, serving as headquarters for call centre syndicates. These facilities are heavily guarded, and many workers are unable to leave freely.

 

The detained individuals were handed over to police at Mae Sot Police Station for further legal proceedings. Authorities continue to monitor the border closely to combat illegal crossings and address human trafficking concerns.

 

Thailand remains a key transit route for individuals fleeing exploitative working conditions in neighbouring countries, as regional authorities strive to address the complex challenges posed by cross-border crime.

 

-- 2025-01-20

 

 

Poor souls.

Conned into working illegally.

Finally escape only to be arrested in Thailand as illegals.

Probably gaoled, fined, blacklisted and taken to the border.

Thailand does not deserve a seat on the UNHRC.

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The 32 individuals reported that they were either tricked or lured to work in Myawaddy, a region notorious for its high concentration of call centre operations.

The Chinese and Myanmar military connection.... money exchanging hands.

Treating people like these as criminals - rather than victims, which is clearly what they are - is one of the reasons why Thailand keeps ending up on Trafficking in Persons watchlists. They fled from captors who had confiscated their passports, and have no desire to stay in Thailand, so just turn them over to their embassy and call it a day, instead of engaging in this jingoistic nonsense.

It's called a Ca-si-no, not a Ca-si-yes. 😳