Authorities deport 500 Lao migrants

By Nila Singkhiri

More than 500 illegal migrants from Laos were deported back to their home country yesterday, with arrests of illegal aliens on the rise ahead of the New Year holidays.

Around 500 illegal migrant workers were taken across the Chong Mek border checkpoint in Sirindhorn district in 11 minibuses.

Most of them had been arrested in Bangkok, its nearby industrial provinces, and eastern coastal provinces on charges of illegal entry, authorities said.

The number of arrests of illegal Laotian labourers at provincial bus terminals has risen sharply over recent days, with many nabbed as they try to take buses to Laos, hoping to return home for Lunar New Year celebrations from April 13 - 15.

Immigration authorities said they would increase surveillance of buses coming in from Laos in the days after the Songkran holidays in anticipation of the return of many illegal workers.

In Nan, a local immigration bureau has upped its surveillance at two border checkpoints known to be used by illegal migrant workers. According to past figures, bureau chief Pol Capt Sitthinan Sitthikhamjon said a large number of Laotians, mostly males, are smuggled into the country over the New Year holidays each year.

Many travel by foot through a jungle pass at Huay Khon border checkpoint in Nan's Chalerm Prakiat district and the Huay Sataeng-Ban Mai Chaidaen border checkpoint in nearby Song Khwer where entry regulations are relatively relaxed.

Many of the illegal migrants then use transportation services operated by Laotians already in Thailand, he said.

Bangkok Post

Last Updated : Sunday April 08, 2007