97 undocumented Burmese citizens arrested in first week of September

September 11, 2025

HURFOM: In the first week of September, 2025, more than 97 undocumented Burmese citizens who tried to enter Thailand via the Three Pagoda Pass border route in Kyarinnseikyi Township, Karen State were arrested by the Thai authorities.

From January to August, 2025, hundreds of undocumented Burmese citizens were arrested by the Thai authorities every month.

More than 300 were arrested in January. 497 were arrested in February, March and April. 256 were arrested in June, and 115 were arrested in July. In August, 2025, 231 individuals were arrested.

Those arrested include young and elderly persons, women and children. Most were attempting to cross the border to find work in Thailand. Some were planning on transiting through Thailand to Malaysia for work.

Each person pays up to 15,000 Thai Baht to the brokers as a ‘transportation fee’, however brokers do nothing for their clients if they are arrested.

Many Burmese citizens are leaving the country due to prolonged political crisis, widespread armed conflicts and forced and unlawful conscription. In 2025, the Thai Border Guard Force arrested 1,611 undocumented Burmese citizens who attempted to cross the border into Thailand.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News