Suche
Mein Konto
Thailand rescues 260 human trafficking victims from Myanmar
Thailand has received 260 people smuggling victims from Myanmar, many of them Ethiopians. This repatriation comes as part of an intensified crackdown on illegal fraud centers.
Thailand rescues 260 human trafficking victims from Myanmar
Thailand received 260 human trafficking victims from Myanmar on Thursday, more than half of whom are Ethiopians, the Thai military said. This is part of an extensive repatriation campaign, which is taking place against the background of increasing Crackdown on fraud centers stands on the porous border between Thailand and Myanmar.
Human trafficking and illegal online operations
Criminal gangs have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people, forcing them to work in illegal online operations that generate billions annually across Southeast Asia, according to the United Nations. The border area between Thailand and Myanmar is particularly affected.
National origin verification
“After reviewing the group and verifying their nationalities, it was determined that out of a total of 20 nationalities, 138 are Ethiopians,” the Thai military said in a statement.
Reaction of the Thai authorities
Despite the fact that this illegal operations have existed for years, Thai authorities stepped up their efforts last month after Chinese actor Wang Xing died in Thailand kidnapped after being lured with the prospect of an acting career. He was later freed by Thai police who found him in Myanmar.
Return of the victims
On Wednesday, many of the human trafficking victims sent back from Myanmar's Myawaddy region were seen crossing the Moei River into Thailand. There they were ushered onto Thai military vehicles as soldiers looked on.
Search operation for forced labor
The Karen Buddhist Democratic Army, a Myanmar rebel group operating along the Thai border, reported finding around 260 people from unspecified "enterprises" as its employees searched for forced labor.
Uncertainty about the origin of the victims
“We don’t know how they got here,” Major Saw San Aung, the group’s chief of staff, told Reuters. “We continue to search for forced labor and will send them back.”
Power outages and growing unease
Thailand has at the beginning of the month Electricity, fuel and internet access cut in parts of Myanmar where the illegal centers operate. This reflects that growing unease in Bangkok about the impact of fraud centers on the important tourism sector.