53 Myanmar citizens illegally entered Thailand via Myanmar-Thailand border arrested in Ayutthaya Province on March 10 and from March 1 to March 10, over 700 Myanmar citizens were detained in Thailand according to sources.

As the demand for workers higher in Thailand, more Myanmar citizens entered Thailand and those illegally entered Thailand were detained nearly every day. On March 10, about 53 Myanmar entered Thailand illegally with buses was detained according to Moegyo, chair of joint action committee for Burmese affairs.

“On March 1 from 10, 708 Myanmar and 15 job agents were arrested. Those escaped from Thailand police were also targeted by job agents and took baht 20000 to 25000 per each person to get jobs. Myanmar citizens were arrested trying to go through inner Thailand such Bangkok via border provinces,” said Moegyo.

“Using various ways, they tried to enter Thailand to get high paid jobs. Thai-Myanmar MOU is not possible at the moment and so they tried to enter Thailand via illegal routes. Arrests will be continued as long as there isn’t any safer route. Majority of Myanmar entered from Thai-Myanmar border, Mon state, Taninthayi Region and Myawaddy-Maesot routes,” continued Moegyo.

From January to March 10, over 10,000 Myanmar were arrested and Thailand has tightened patrol in Thai-Myanmar borders.