Forty-eight Myanmar citizens who illegally entered the Photphara border in the southern Mae Sot Township, Thailand, by crossing the Thaungyin (Moei) River were apprehended at about 3am on January 30.

The Thai authorities apprehended for illegal entry to the Photphara border in the south of Mae Sot from Myawady by crossing the river to get to Thailand including Bangkok.

According to Thai media, along with the 48 Myanmar citizens, three Thai brokers who brought them were also arrested.

Those arrested will be prosecuted as per the existing laws after undergoing medical examinations by the Thai authorities and personnel of the health department.

The arrested Myanmar citizens had to pay 25,000 Thai baht each in advance as a broker fee to get into inner Thailand, including Bangkok.

Chairman JACBA, Moe Gyo said, "Due to scarcity of work and the inability to go to Thailand through MoU because of Covid-19, many Myanmar citizens are venturing out into Thailand after having mortgaged their houses and property. One good thing is that the penalty of being imprisoned for 10 years as per the Covid-19 law, the period of imprisonment has been reduced to only one year on humanitarian grounds by the Thai king and the immigration law. I would urge the youth not to come to Thailand during this period if there isn't any problem in the country".

Moe Gyo further said that due to the rumour that identity certificates would be issued in Bangkok, since November 2021, the number of illegal migrants to Thailand has increased. From January to December 2021, 60,000 to 80,000 were arrested, according to the information released by the Thai military, he added.