Thai authorities have arrested 19 Myanmar youths in Kanchanaburi Province who were attempting to enter Thailand illegally en route to Malaysia for work opportunities. The incident occurred on March 18, when the group tried to enter Thailand via a waterway route. According to Thai authorities, they spotted a suspicious boat covered with black tarpaulin during their regular patrol.
When authorities ordered the boat to stop for inspection, its occupants attempted to flee, leading to a pursuit operation. The subsequent arrest resulted in the detention of 19 Myanmar nationals along with two Thai boat operators who were facilitating their illegal entry. The investigation revealed that these young people were planning to use Thailand as a transit point before proceeding to Malaysia for employment opportunities.
According to information obtained from the arrested Myanmar nationals, each person had agreed to pay between 15,000 to 25,000 Thai Baht for the journey. This incident reflects the ongoing situation where Myanmar youth are attempting to seek employment opportunities abroad due to the current political and economic conditions in their home country. The case highlights the continuing challenges faced by Myanmar citizens who resort to irregular migration channels in search of better economic opportunities, often putting themselves at risk of exploitation and legal consequences in neighboring countries.
