344 migrant workers from Myanmar were arrested for crossing the border in Prachuap Kiri Khan on February 4, 2022. Prachuap Sonthi force reported they were found hiding in the forest after their journey through natural trails from their hometowns.
The officers arrested 196 males and 148 females when the sound of the people coughing in the bushes was heard. The Myanmar migrants said they had come from Magui, Mandalay, and Mawlamyine Province, and stopped at Mu Dong village, Myanmar side, which is about 3 kilometers from the Thai border, Chong Singkhon. Then, they walked across the border through natural trails. Before arrested, they were waiting for the broker to pick them up at the meeting point, bound to Mahachai, Samut Sakhon, at a cost of 20,000 – 25,000 baht per person.
A large number of Myanmar workers have consistently attempted to illegally enter Thailand through borders in Prachuap Kiri Khan. To meet high labor demand in the manufacturing, agriculture, service, and construction industry, many private companies are requesting the government to facilitate the legal process of recruiting alien workers as well as to secure proper MOUs between the countries to alleviate a shortage of workers.
It is said that at least one million Myanmar workers cross the Thai borders to seek better job opportunities in Thailand. With more vigorous economic activities after the reopening of the country, along with a heightened issue of the aging society, more number is expected.
