Thai authorities have arrested 52 Myanmar nationals in Kanchanaburi Province who were attempting to illegally travel to Malaysia for work. The group consisted of 37 men and 15 women, all from Yangon. The incident occurred at 2:30 AM Thai time on August 30th. According to Thai authorities, they spotted a suspicious vehicle during their routine patrol that appeared to be heavily loaded. When ordered to stop for inspection, the driver attempted to flee, leading to a pursuit that resulted in the successful apprehension of the vehicle and its occupants.
The investigation revealed that the Myanmar nationals had entered Thailand through the Three Pagodas Pass border area, utilizing both forest and water routes to make their way into Kanchanaburi Province. The group had planned to use Thailand as a transit point before continuing their journey to Malaysia. Each individual had paid between 15,000 to 40,000 Thai Baht in broker fees for the arrangement of their journey.
Thai authorities are currently processing the arrested individuals on charges of illegal border crossing. Following legal proceedings, they will be deported back to their places of origin in Myanmar. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of illegal border crossings and human trafficking in the region, as many Myanmar nationals continue to seek employment opportunities in neighboring countries through unofficial channels.
