Myanmar workers at Hoen Fong Home Living Technology factory in Chonburi, Thailand, have reported that four Myanmar workers were wrongfully arrested and charged for wire theft that occurred during the Chinese New Year factory closure, while the actual Thai perpetrators were let go without charges. According to Myanmar staff at the factory, a Thai national, working with other Thai accomplices from outside, stole electrical wires during the factory shutdown period during Chinese New Year celebrations.
Although the Thai perpetrator was identified and arrested through CCTV footage, they were released after paying a bribe. Subsequently, some Myanmar workers who had similar walking patterns to the thief seen in the CCTV footage were arrested and charged instead. Factory management and interpreters deceived the Myanmar workers by calling them to take photos under the pretext of passport renewal and documentation purposes. These photos were then compared with CCTV images of the actual thief to build a case against the Myanmar workers.
The Chinese-owned Hoen Fong Home Living Technology plywood factory employs approximately 600 Myanmar workers. Previously, in December 2024, Myanmar workers had staged protests due to the factory’s failure to provide holidays and days off, as well as unfair charges for document renewal fees. Currently, Myanmar staff members at the factory have hired lawyers and are working to reveal the truth about the wrongfully accused Myanmar workers. While Thai nationals were released after paying bribes, the wrongful arrest and prosecution of innocent Myanmar workers has been condemned by labor rights organizations. The case highlights ongoing issues of discrimination and unfair treatment faced by Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.
