Thai authorities have reported the arrest of 71 undocumented Myanmar workers in Thailand’s Tak province. On the morning of September 3, Thai officials intercepted two enclosed vehicles carrying Myanmar nationals who had illegally entered the province. The 71 Myanmar citizens found in these vehicles had no legal documentation or identification papers. The Thai drivers of both vehicles were also arrested, and they confessed to having conducted similar illegal transport operations multiple times before.
According to reports, the drivers received 10,000 Thai Baht per operation for transporting undocumented Myanmar workers into Thailand. Thai authorities have stated that both the 71 Myanmar nationals and the two drivers will face legal proceedings in accordance with Thai law. This incident highlights the increasing trend of Myanmar citizens attempting to leave their country through illegal means to seek opportunities in neighboring countries. The situation reflects the growing challenges faced by Myanmar people amid the current political and economic crisis in their homeland.
In related developments, Thai immigration authorities also conducted inspections at Warorot Market in Chiang Mai, where they arrested six Myanmar workers who were selling goods without proper permits. Additionally, in Phuket, authorities raided and shut down a Myanmar restaurant operating without the required business license and work permits. These incidents demonstrate the broader pattern of enforcement actions against undocumented Myanmar workers throughout Thailand, while also highlighting the desperate circumstances that drive many Myanmar citizens to seek informal employment opportunities abroad despite the risks of arrest and deportation.
