KANCHANABURI: Patrol units of the Surasee Task Force arrested a total of 26 Myanmar nationals who illegally entered the country in three districts of this western border province on Friday and Saturday, police reported.
The job seekers, 16 men and 10 women, illegally crossed the border via natural crossings in four groups during the two days. Five Thai men were also arrested for allegedly acting as guides for the groups.
Two groups were caught at Moo 2 and Moo 15 villages in tambon Ban Kao of Muang district, while two other groups were arrested at Moo 8 village in tambon Si Mongkon of Sai Yok district and at Moo 2 village in tambon Tha Khanun of Thong Pha Phum district.
According to authorities, the migrants said they were from Maylamyine, Yangon, Bago and Rakhine townships in Myanmar, destined for jobs in Samut Sakhon, Rayong, Kanchanaburi and Bangkok. Some had paid between 15,000-30,000 baht each to job brokers while others would make the payment on arriving at the promised workplaces.
The Myanmar nationals were handed over to Muang, Sai Yok and Thong Pha Phum police for legal proceedings on charge of illegal entry, pending deportation.
The five Thai men were charged with providing assistance to illegal border crossers.
