The Thai authorities apprehended 19 Myanmar nationals who had illegally crossed into Thailand in Ranong Town in Ranong District, southern Thailand at 6:30 a.m. on 2 October 2023.

The Myanmar nationals who had illegally come into Thailand by boat from Kawthaung on the Myanmar side were arrested by soldiers from Thai Infantry Battalion 25, according to a social media post by the Battalion 25.

It said that the illegal immigrants were found hidden in two cars. The Thai army thought that the transport had been arranged by brokers who were transporting the migrants to Bangkok for work.

Currently, the 19 illegal migrants are being questioned at Pakchan Police Station in Ranong District. Appropriate legal action will be taken against them.

Many Myanmar people migrate to Thailand for work. While the vast majority of migrant workers are there legally, some enter the country and work in Thailand illegally.

In recent years the Thai and Myanmar authorities have cooperated and established bilateral agreements in an attempt to make it easier for Myanmar people to legally work in Thailand and to try to ensure that migrant workers have better rights and welfare.