More than 400 Burmese migrant workers arrested for illegal entry to Thailand

May 27, 2024

HURFOM: From February to April, 2024, 476 Burmese migrant workers were arrested by the Thai authority for illegal entry to Thailand, according to Thai media.

The young men fleeing military conscription used jungle routes to illegally enter Thailand.

“There has been an intense battle in Myawaddy so they can’t enter Thailand from that route. They’ve mainly used the Three Pagoda Pass route. They’re arrested every day. Most of them are youths,” said a resident who lives on the Thai – Burma border.

Each migrant worker has paid between 13,000 to 20,000 Thai Baht to brokers for illegal entry.

“When their sons turn of age eligible for conscription, parents pay money to brokers to take their children into Thailand. Some are lost in the jungle. Some are arrested by Thai police and forcefully sent back to Burma. But they’ve paid money to brokers and will try to enter Thailand again,” said a resident at the border.

According to Thai media, the arrested Burmese migrant workers are being detained at the Thai police station and will be sent back to Burma soon.

The military junta has issued a ban on young men for working abroad in order to stop them from avoiding unlawful conscription service. Since that ban, young people have no choice but to use illegal routes to attempt to enter Thailand.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News