Big Joke secures pledge for release of 162 Thais from Myanmar immigration chief
Deputy National Police chief Pol General Surachate Hakparn says he has won a pledge from Myanmar Immigration Police that the 162 Thai nationals arrested will be deported without prosecution.
Surachate, better known as Big Joke, was in Yangon for a second day on Tuesday to further discuss details on how to secure the release of Thais being detained in Laukkaing Township in Shan State.
He said that initially on Monday, he was told that 164 Thais were being detained, but a more detailed discussion with Myanmar immigration chief Maung Maung Than revealed that the number was actually 162.
Joining Surachate at the meeting were officials from the Thai embassy in Yangon and the Department of Special Investigation.
Surachate said at the meeting, the immigration police declared that all 162 Thai nationals had entered Myanmar illegally. However, he said, he would exempt them from legal prosecution as a sign of goodwill between the two sides, Surachate said.
Muang Than also promised to speed up the deportation of the detainees, he added.
Surachate later told the press that he has exchanged phone numbers with Muang Than for closer cooperation to fight transborder crimes and call-centre gangs to take better care of people in both countries.
