The Thai authorities arrested 13 migrant workers in the border area of Mae Sot in Tak Province over a period of three days from 2 to 4 November.

Five illegal Myanmar migrant workers were arrested when the authorities checked three beauty salons in Mae Sot on 2 November, according to the Myanmar community in Mae Sot.

On 3 November a further three illegal Myanmar migrant workers were detained and five more were detained on 4 November when the authorities checked other establishments in Mae Sot.

All 13 were accused of working unlawfully without the correct permission. They are currently being held at Mae Sot Police Station and will face legal proceedings.

A Myanmar resident of Mae Sot said: "A significant number of Burmese people are employed here. We must be cautious, as any actions against the Thai population could result in police reports and subsequent arrests.”

In Thailand foreign migrant workers from countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos are restricted in what industries they can work. Amongst the jobs they are forbidden from taking are working in retail shops and beauty salons, taxi driver and broker.

Under Thai law migrant workers found working in jobs they are not permitted to have face penalties that can include up to one year’s imprisonment and/or fines ranging from 50,000 baht (approx $1,408 USD) to 200,000 baht (approx $5,630 USD). They may also have their work permits suspended for three years and be deported.

The Thai authorities say that they restrict the industries in which foreign migrant workers can work to protect Thai workers.