Crackdown on Migrants at Thai-Myanmar Border

[SeaVisionBurma]

Police in the border town of Maw Taung, Tanintharyi Region, have begun arresting “agents” who help migrant workers cross into Thailand illegally.

From Eleven Myanmar Media

Fifteen people have been arrested since the beginning of the month at the border trade post opposite the town of Singkhon in Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan province, police said.

“We have been arresting those who attempt to enter Thailand illegally or send people there illegally since the beginning of July,” said Nay Myo Lat, an inspector at Maw Taung Police Station. He said those arrested had been working with Maw Taung residents to help migrants cross the border illegally.

He did not say how many of those arrested were “agents” or how many were attempting to enter Thailand illegally for work. However, 12 of those arrested hail from Rakhine State where chronic unemployment has sparked an exodus of young men and women in search of work. Two residents of Dawei were also arrested and one Yangon resident was arrested, Nay Myo Lat said.

The border trade post opened on May 8, 2013. According to a statement from the Thai government, there are plans to eventually turn it into an international border crossing. Currently, Myanmar issues temporary passes to those who cross the border, but Thai officials do not recognise their validity and require their holders to return to Myanmar by sunset, police said.

Read the full article here: Crackdown on migrants at Thai Border

[catweazle]

Good!

[SeaVisionBurma]

Many thanks for your constructive and thoughtful comments on this matter.

[Tomtomtom69]

Thai and Myanmar officials should quickly open this border as an international checkpoint for legitimate tourists to pass through into Myanmar (with appropriate visas, which are extremely easy to get - show up with a pulse, a passport, a photograph, fill out a form, pay the fee and get your visa back within 1-3 days). I also look forward to the day when one can finally show up with a car and none of this tour nonsense and just drive around wherever we want (OK except maybe the restricted areas, but they are becoming less and less over time).