Cambodians sent packing

BANGKOK: -- Immigration Police deported 236 Cambodians, all women and children, to their home country yesterday.

The 142 women and 94 children had been smuggled into Thailand and either begged or worked as garland sellers in Bangkok, said Maj-General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Police Bureau. The children ranged from one month to 10 years old, he said.

Immigration Police have deported 9,451 aliens for illegal entry since January 1, Pongsapat said. They consisted of 4,200 Cambodians, 3,714 Burmese and 1,537 Laotians.

--The Nation 2004-03-15

Burmese illegals flee across border ahead of crackdown

More than 6,000 Burmese fled Thailand yesterday following local media reports that authorities were planning to crack down on illegal workers in the country.

Government officials have also vowed to take action against any Thais sheltering illegal immigrants.

Provincial police chief Colonel Somjit Taengtong said the Burmese had left before any arrests were made.

Somjit said Tak Governor Sawas Srisuwandee had earlier instructed local officials and military and police officers to seek out illegal immigrants.

The police colonel said Thai landowners would be asked to take down makeshift shelters vacated by the Burmese.

"We want to ensure that no more illegal immigrants come to occupy these shelters," he said.

-- The Nation 2004-03-16