BANGKOK, Thailand – Thai authorities intercepted 70 illegal migrant workers from Myanmar in a coordinated operation late Saturday night. The migrants, who admitted they were trying to enter Thailand to work in Samut Sakhon and Samut Prakan provinces, were paying brokers 15,000 baht each for the journey.
Major General Atsadawut Panyaratshun, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division and head of the Surasi Task Force, said he coordinated with Governor Athisan Intra after receiving intelligence reports about illegal migrant movements along the Kanchanaburi border. He ordered Colonel Phansak Priewpanich, commander of the 29th Infantry Regiment and head of the Special Task Force Lada Ya, along with Lieutenant Colonel Piyanet Phatrasasawatwong, to mobilize troops, the 134th Border Patrol Police Company, and local administration officers from Sangkhla Buri district to patrol the area.
At around 11:00 p.m., authorities on patrol near an orchard in Moo 8, Ban Songkalia, Nong Lu subdistrict, Sangkhla Buri, observed a large group moving through a natural route. Upon inspection, they discovered 70 illegal migrants—48 men and 22 women—from Myanmar. None could communicate in Thai or produce official identification, and they were immediately detained.
Through a translator, the migrants revealed they had come from Yangon and Mandalay in Myanmar, entering Thailand through the natural border route at Ban Bo Ngiu, Sangkhla Buri. They then traveled over land and river routes to avoid security checkpoints, intending to be picked up by an unknown driver who would transport them further inland. They admitted they planned to work in Samut Sakhon and Samut Prakan, paying brokers 15,000 baht each upon arrival, but were caught before reaching their destination.
Authorities then processed the migrants, collecting personal information and transferring them to Sangkhla Buri police station to expand the investigation and proceed with legal action. (TNA)
