29 undocumented Myanmar nationals arrested in human smuggling bust in southern Thailand

· Eleven Media Group Co., Ltd

According to a report by the Bangkok Post, Thai authorities arrested 29 undocumented Myanmar nationals traveling in a concealed van.

The arrests took place on November 23 at a highway checkpoint in Sai Buri District, Southern Thailand. 

Acting on intelligence that a suspicious vehicle was being used for human smuggling, Thai police intercepted a van with a Bangkok license plate traveling on the highway between Pattani and Narathiwat. Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered 21 male and 8 female Myanmar nationals. The driver of the vehicle was identified as a Thai national.

The report stated that the 29 Myanmar nationals had contacted a recruiter in Malaysia to arrange for their travel via Thailand to Malaysia for work opportunities. They had also sought assistance from a Thai broker during their stay in Thailand. The group had been traveling illegally within Thailand for three days.

The driver admitted during questioning that the Thai broker had paid him 1,500 baht per person to transport the group. Both the arrested Myanmar nationals and the Thai driver have been detained at the police station, where legal action will be taken against them, according to the Bangkok Post.

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