Thailand repatriates 73 trafficking victims to Myanmar

Po Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn (left), acting immigration police chief, hands over 146,000 baht in aid for 73 Myanmar human trafficking victims rescued by Thai authorities to a Myanmar official. (Photo supplied by Assawin Pinitwong)

TAK: Thailand has sent home 73 Myanmar nationals with aid totalling 146,000 baht after they were rescued from a Myanmar human trafficking ring operating in both countries.

Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, acting immigration police chief, together with officials from the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, took the 73 victims across the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Mae Sot district to Myawaddy in the neighbouring country.

They were handed over to Myanmar officials -- Tayza Htut Hlaing Htwe, Kayin State Minister for Bamar Ethnic Affairs, and Win Naing Tun, director-general of the Department of Rehabilitation, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.

After learning early this year about a Myanmar gang deceiving people into working as forced labour in Thailand’s South, Thai authorities launched an investigation leading to the arrest of several suspects.

They also rescued the victims without delay and provided aid until they were repatriated on Monday.

The Immigration Bureau also gave the victims 146,000 baht in total to help them with their new life at Thoungyin Hall in Myawaddy.

The cooperation was under the standard operating procedures (SOPs) on the management of cases and the repatriation and re/integration of victims of trafficking both countries agreed on in 2013.



