Thai authorities have reported the arrest of 113 Myanmar nationals for illegal entry into Thailand’s Kanchanaburi Province. The arrests took place around 6:30 AM on September 16 in Thong Pha Phum district’s Tha Khanun village. Among those arrested were 73 men and 38 women, along with two Thai nationals and three vehicles that were also seized in the operation. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of irregular migration across the Thai-Myanmar border.
The arrested Myanmar nationals had reportedly paid substantial sums to brokers, ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 Thai Baht per person, in hopes of finding employment in Thailand. They had entered the Kanchanaburi Province through various routes, including forest paths, land routes, and waterways, after crossing through the Three Pagodas Pass border area. The comprehensive operation by Thai authorities revealed the sophisticated nature of these unauthorized border crossings.
In a separate operation on the same morning, authorities apprehended another group of Myanmar nationals, including a two-year-old child traveling with their mother. This second group consisted of 53 individuals, comprising 31 men and 21 women, all of whom were reported to be from Yangon. The total number of Myanmar nationals arrested in Kanchanaburi Province on September 16 reached 166, marking a significant day in Thailand’s ongoing efforts to manage unauthorized border crossings. These incidents reflect the broader context of economic migration from Myanmar to Thailand, as many Myanmar citizens seek better employment opportunities across the border.
