TAK, Feb 20 (TNA) – Thailand began repatriating 200 Chinese nationals, implicated in call center scams in Myawaddy, Myanmar, on Thursday.
They crossed into Mae Sot and will be flown to China. Thai and Chinese officials facilitated the transfer. A total of 800 individuals are expected to be repatriated in the coming days.
The operation follows Thailand’s two-week cutoff of electricity, internet, and fuel to Myawaddy, disrupting criminal activities and causing severe hardship. Fuel smuggling has increased, and prices have soared.
The crackdown has prompted workers, including Lao and Thai women, to flee to Thailand due to unbearable conditions.
The Shwe Kokko economic zone has seen a slowdown after the Myanmar junta-allied Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) detained over 1,000 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, including both victims of human trafficking and scammers.
BGF screening of Chinese nationals for repatriation occurred on Wednesday. – 819 (TNA)
