Thailand Braces for Influx Post-Myanmar Gang Release Crackdown

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy: MGR online

 

Thailand is on high alert as the government prepares for a potential wave of foreigners freed from scam gangs in Myanmar. This comes after Thailand cut off electricity to pressure the gangs into releasing captives, as revealed by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Wednesday.

 

Reports indicate gangs are beginning to release trapped workers, directing them towards Thailand, although the country cannot accommodate them all. Mr Phumtham made it clear that Thailand will not set up refugee camps and will only accept those whose native countries are willing to repatriate them.

 

The Thai government has bolstered border security in anticipation. On Tuesday, Myanmar informed Thailand about 53 foreigners, including nationals from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, and the Philippines, being sent to Tak province due to Myanmar's inability to care for them.

 

 

Thai officials will conduct thorough assessments, ensuring there is no scam involvement. Should they pass these checks, arrangements will be made for their repatriation within a month.

 

Additionally, there is potential for eased sanctions on services such as internet and electricity to Myanmar if they demonstrate eradication of scam centres. Despite the tense backdrop, Thailand remains committed to its approach amid external pressure, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-12

 

 

[flyingtlger]

From what I understand, most of the foreigners have had their passports taken away by the gangs operating the scams.

I wonder if they're going to return the passports???

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Thai government has bolstered border security in anticipation. On Tuesday, Myanmar informed Thailand about 53 foreigners, including nationals from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, and the Philippines, being sent to Tak province due to Myanmar's inability to care for them.

Turn them around at the border... you ain't coming in.

[edwinchester]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Turn them around at the border... you ain't coming in.

Seems a little harsh when many of them were kidnapped in Thailand and transported into Burma presumably with the connivance of some Thais.

[hotchilli]

46 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

Seems a little harsh when many of them were kidnapped in Thailand and transported into Burma presumably with the connivance of some Thais.

And if they allow them to come into Thailand what will they do with them, maybe no passports, no visas, no work permits and no employment?

And they've already said they will not keep them in a camp.

[Tarteso]

Imagine the number of innocent poor people living in towns and villages that lack electricity.🤔

[tomazbodner]

7 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

From what I understand, most of the foreigners have had their passports taken away by the gangs operating the scams.

I wonder if they're going to return the passports???

Doubt many would make it to the border. They know too much.

[edwinchester]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

And if they allow them to come into Thailand what will they do with them, maybe no passports, no visas, no work permits and no employment?

And they've already said they will not keep them in a camp.

Thailand need to own that they have some officials who appear to be involved in illegal border activities. If some of those trafficked through Thailand  make it safely back into Thailand then they need to be returned to their home countries with the help of the countries Embassy if their passports are still in the hands of the traffickers.

[TheFishman1]

Thailand has no compassion for refugees and when it comes from them spending money for refugees that’s not gonna happen they rather keep the money for themselves corruption first thing refugees they don’t even exist in Thailand as far as the Chinese gangs I’m very surprised that they don’t just get generators diesel generators to run their electricity Thailand exactly is not the best when it comes to human trafficking TIT