Following the arrest of 14 Cambodian traders working without a permit at Rong Kluea market and other illegal immigrants apprehended at borders around Thailand, the Burapha Taskforce has announced the arrest of 45 Cambodian nationals in Sa Kaeo province.
The 45 Cambodian nationals were apprehended on Monday night in four separate groups – three groups along the Non Ping canal and one group in a pickup truck at the Aranyaprathet checkpoint.
Commander of the Burapha Taskforce, Maj Gen Tharaphong Malakham, said the operation was a joint effort between the Taskforce and the Sa Kaeo police. He said:
“The arrests are the result of a joint operation between Burapha Task Force and Sa Kaeo police to prevent illegal migrants from entering Thailand or smuggling contraband into the country via the Thai-Cambodian borders in the province.”
Patrols set up along the Non Ping canal apprehended three separate groups comprised of 15, eight, and seven people. Of those caught along the canal 22 were men and eight were women.
Another group of 15 people was discovered in the back of a pickup truck at the Aranyaprathet checkpoint. The driver, a Thai resident from Sa Kaeo, said she was paid 3,000 baht per person to bring the Cambodian nationals across the border. According to Maj Gen Malakham:
“Police also stopped a pickup truck at the Aranyaprathet checkpoint on Monday to find it had 15 Cambodian nationals – nine men and six women – hidden in the flatbed. The driver, identified as Sa Kaeo resident Athittaya Sawasdee, confessed she was paid 3,000 baht per head to bring Cambodian workers across the border.”
The 45 immigrants had come from several provinces in Cambodia, including Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, and Kampong Thom.
They were seeking employment in Chonburi, Saraburi, and Pathum Thani.
All 45 Cambodian nationals and the pickup truck driver were sent to Ta Phraya and Aranyaprathet police stations to face legal procedures.
Source: The Nation
