Picture courtesy of Khaosod

 

Thai authorities have intensified border and airport controls to prevent foreigners who fled scam compounds in Myanmar from re-entering the country. The Immigration Bureau’s move follows growing concern that deported workers, many of whom had been forced into online fraud networks, may attempt to return using new identities and fall back under criminal syndicate control.

 

Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonyaluck, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, issued the directive after Myanmar forces raided and dismantled the notorious KK Park complex, long known as a hub for international cyber scams. The crackdown sent hundreds of foreign workers fleeing across the Moei River into Thailand through unofficial crossings near Mae Sot, Tak province.

 

Immigration Bureau spokesperson Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimphadee confirmed that, as of November 10, officials had detained around 1,540 illegal entrants since October 22. The majority were Indian nationals (465), followed by Africans (270), Filipinos (220) and Chinese (187). All are being held pending repatriation under Thailand’s Immigration Act. Each detainee will be interviewed under the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), a framework designed to identify and assist potential victims of trafficking and forced labour.

 

The bureau has also ordered biometric registration for all detainees to stop them from re-entering Thailand under fake identities. Authorities have warned that some of those deported could be at risk of returning to neighbouring countries and being re-exploited by transnational cybercrime networks.

 

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul travelled to Mae Sot to lead a meeting with immigration and security officials, assessing the situation and reviewing screening measures. He later inspected immigration procedures at airports to ensure compliance with stricter entry rules.

 

Airport immigration officers nationwide have now been instructed to deny entry to anyone previously deported from Myanmar-based scam centres, especially travellers from South Asian and East African countries. Officers were also told to question solo travellers without return tickets, hotel bookings or clear travel plans, who could be at risk of being lured into forced online labour.

 

Since the start of 2025, immigration authorities have issued over 3,300 warnings to travellers identified as being vulnerable to trafficking or illegal work offers. The government says these measures aim to balance security with humanitarian standards under international cooperation frameworks.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Thailand has tightened border and airport screening to stop scam-hub workers from re-entering after fleeing Myanmar.

• Over 1,500 illegal entrants have been detained since late October, mostly from India, Africa, the Philippines and China.

• Biometric tracking and stricter airport checks aim to prevent re-entry under false identities and protect trafficking victims.

 

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Khaosod 2025-11-12

 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The bureau has also ordered biometric registration for all detainees to stop them from re-entering Thailand under fake identities.

 

Have they ever cuncidered this on Chinese nationals?

Off topic troll post removed.

 

@sungod this is the Thai news section, not about the UK.

Scam centre slaves are legitimate refugees who must be repatriated. Otherwise, what's the sense in trying to ban those centres?