Mizzima News

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Authorities in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand raided the work sites of Burmese migrant workers and arrested them following the rape and killing of a Thai university student recently.

After the news spread that two Burmese migrant workers allegedly raped and killed a Thai university student on February 7, Thai police and Immigration officers raided places where Burmese migrant workers live in groups and made more arrests.  

"After the rape case news spread, the police have been continuously arresting the Burmese and the number of arrests has touched over 200. I heard that in some places in the city, notices were pasted saying not to employ Burmese workers in restaurants and at home or else their houses will be set on fire," Sai Khro Pha from Thai based 'SHAN' news agency said.  

Most of the persons arrested are from Kanjanood workers quarter No. 2 and 4 in Doi Saket and Huay Sai, Mae Jo.  

The Thai police arrested two Burmese migrant workers as suspects in connection with the rape and murder case.  

The Thai language newspaper 'Chiang Mai News' reported on its internet website that a 22 year old Thai student was raped and murdered and then the perpetrators fled with her hand phone and cash. She was studying in the 3rd year as an Accounting major at Mae Jo University in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  

Outraged students from Mae Jo University sent a letter to the university administrator demanding resolving the Burmese migrant workers issue by expelling them from Chiang Mai.  

Moreover they accused Burmese migrant workers of committing similar crimes which occurred on January 22 and February 3 respectively. In the first case, a foreigner was killed in Lek Len village in Chiang Mai and his belongings were looted. In the second case an 82 year old Thai lady was allegedly killed and her jewellery was stolen.