Thai army says 14 illegal Myanmar migrants arrested in Thai border town Ranong

By Admin 10 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
10 May 2023, Sittwe

The Thai army said 14 Myanmar nationals who allegedly illegally entered Thailand were arrested on the night of May 9.

The Myanmar nationals crossed the border from Kawthaung and arrived at Ranong by waterway, according to the Thai army’s statement.

The detained Myanmar nationals range in age from 25 to 40. They were brought by human traffickers, and had to pay K2.5 million each to human traffickers to get them to Thailand via Kawthaung in Tanintharyi Region, according to those assisting the detained Myanmar nationals.

“They are currently held at Ranong police station and are being questioned by the police. They have not been sued yet. They came to Thailand for work and we don’t know in detail,” said U Zayar Kyaw, who is assisting the detained Myanmar nationals.

A vehicle carrying 13 Myanmar nationals overturned in Yi-ngo Town, Narathiwat Province, in southern Thailand, on May 5 while being chased by Thai police, killing two and injuring several others.

After the military coup in Myanmar, there are people who have illegally crossed the border to enter neighbouring Thailand for various reasons, and there are also people who have entered through illegal routes to find work.

From May 1 to May 9, around 200 Myanmar citizens were arrested for crossing the border illegally into Thailand and those who were arrested have been prosecuted for illegal border crossing, according to people assisting migrant workers.