14 Myanmar nationals caught trying to enter Thailand in Tak
Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Company arrested a total of 14 Myanmar nationals caught sneaking across the border into Trat province on Friday.
An Army patrol in Mae Sot district arrested 11 Myanmar nationals, one male and 10 females, as they were crossing the Mei River to enter Thailand at Mae Ku subdistrict. The illegal migrants were sent to Tak public health office for Covid-19 tests and interrogation.
On the same day, a 4th Infantry rapid response team arrested three more Myanmar nationals trying to cross the border at Mae Tao district. Officials said the suspects, two males and one female, were caught carrying 46 packages of smuggled cigarettes.
They were sent to Tak police station for interrogation and Covid-19 tests.
One of the patrolling officers said the Covid-19 outbreak in Myanmar’s Myawaddy town, which shares a border with Tak, is getting worse with the number of infections growing. Thai officials have tightened security to prevent illegal crossings via natural channels, he said.
“Also, the economic recession in Myanmar has resulted in worsening unemployment, so more of its nationals are trying to enter Thailand to find jobs,” he added.
