Illegal Myanmar workers in Ayutthaya construction camp nabbed

Police raided a construction camp in Uthai district, Ayutthaya province, early yesterday morning, apprehending 272 illegal Myanmar workers.

Officials from the Uthai district office and Ayutthaya provincial hall arrived at the camp in Nong Namsom subdistrict at around 6am yesterday, September 24. They detained 272 Myanmar nationals, comprising both men and women, who had entered Thailand illegally, as confirmed by the Uthai district office.

One detained Myanmar man revealed that he and approximately 300 others had crossed the border into Mae Sot district, Tak, illegally. Each individual had paid job brokers around 20,000 baht for travel expenses and additional fees to secure employment at the construction site.

“As labourers, we were paid 500 baht a day, while skilled workers received 600 baht a day.”

He added that the ongoing civil war in Myanmar had forced them to seek employment opportunities in Thailand.

Supakorn Anantharak, a senior provincial official, noted that this was the second raid on this particular camp for illegal workers, the first occurring two years ago, reported Bangkok Post.

“All the illegal migrants will be charged and sent back to Myanmar.”

In related news, an Indian restaurant in South Pattaya found itself at the centre of a legal storm after immigration officers discovered the owner was employing foreign workers without valid work permits. The shocking revelation came to light during a surprise inspection led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Weerachai Thinkamut and Pol. Lt. Pramot Fuengfung, which unveiled serious legal violations.

In other news, police in Na Kluea, Pattaya undertook a comprehensive inspection of foreign workers on fishing boats on September 16, responding to concerns about illegal labour in local waters. Police Lieutenant Colonel Wirachai Thinkamut, Chief of the Immigration Bureau in Chon Buri, led the operation involving over 50 officers.

Officers dispersed throughout the area, from Saphan Yao Na Kluea to Soi Sam Yaek Thammada, scrutinising workers sorting seafood and checking their identification documents.