Thailand’s Mahachai has seen over 1,700 Myanmar migrant workers infected with Covid-19, according to the data released from the Thai health ministry. 

Till January 3, Samut Sakhon District had over 1,900 Covid-19 patients, over 1,700 of whom are Myanmar migrant workers.

Thai authorities have been speeding up testing after a 68-year-old Thai from a prawn market in the district got fever and tested positive for Covid-19 on December 13.

The resurgence of Covid-19 is mainly seen in Mahachai, Samut Sakhon District, mostly inhabited by Myanmar migrant workers.

Mahachai has a majority of Myanmar citizens and only 10 percent of the population are Thais. 

Now, the region has been under lockdown with strict restrictions and inspections including inter-province travel ban.

Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that more than 4,000 Myanmar workers are being stranded in Samut Sakhon District.  

Thailand will reportedly allow the undocumented Myanmar migrant workers in Mahachai to undergo medical checks without taking action against them.

Thailand first planned to have Covid-19 tests on about 10,000 Myanmar workers and but now plans are underway to increase the number to about 40,000, Bangkok Post reported.

According to some aid organizations, Myanmar workers are facing discrimination in Thailand and some have been kicked out of their work.