Thai nationals to return from Myanmar amidst military-insurgent clashes

The return of 41 Thai nationals, marooned amidst skirmishes between Myanmar military and ethnic insurgent factions in Laukkai, a border town between China and Myanmar, is set to happen today, as stated by the prime minister. These individuals are part of a larger group of 164 Thai nationals, who were rescued by Myanmar officials from illegal employment or human trafficking networks.

During a visit to San Francisco, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin informed the media on Tuesday, around 4pm local time in the US, about the Defence Ministry’s plans to bring back these citizens from Tachileik, a border town in Myanmar, by today, November 16, or possibly Friday.

The Third Army Area is slated to provide a media briefing on Thursday about this repatriation endeavour.

Chai Wacharonke, the government spokesperson, disclosed on Wednesday that the Thai military has partnered with the United Wa State Army through the Thailand-Myanmar Township Border Committee (TBC) to facilitate the evacuation of these stranded Thais to Myanmar’s Kengtung state, reported Bangkok Post.

There remain an additional 60 Thais awaiting assistance from local authorities to reach Laukkai before they can return to Thailand. The Myanmar military has planned to transport these 41 Thai nationals to the Tachileik border town on Thursday or Friday, as highlighted by Chai.

The TBC’s Thai unit will subsequently facilitate their repatriation to Thailand via the Mae Sai border district in Chiang Rai.

In the meantime, coordination is ongoing between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar, and China to expedite the return of the remaining Thais stranded in Laukkai. Chai also mentioned that the Defence Ministry is collaborating with state agencies to monitor the situation and formulate a rescue plan for the Thai nationals stuck in Laukkai.

“The premier has instructed the state agencies to provide coordination and assistance to Thais in Myanmar with the utmost effort.”