The Myanmar military began cracking down on the KK Industrial Park in Myawaddy, located on the Myanmar-Thailand border, on October 16. Reports indicate that thousands of people fled the unrest, with over 800 entering Thailand. Others were taken away and processed at the Myanmar-Thailand border.
On October 24, over 100 suspected fraudsters who had fled the KK Industrial Park were waiting near the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, hoping to be allowed into Thailand. They fled the park after learning of the impending Myanmar military raid. Residents near the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge reported that approximately 500 people waiting there had been taken away by Myanmar military trucks.
According to recent reports, Thai security authorities have set up four temporary shelters in Mae Sot, a border district. As of the evening of October 23, they were already accommodating over 800 foreigners, nearing capacity. The number of people being taken away is expected to increase. Official data previously released by Thailand shows that 677 people have been apprehended crossing the border into Thailand: 618 men and 59 women.
These individuals came from various countries, including the Philippines, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Kenya, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Sawant, Deputy Governor of Thailand’s western border province of Tak, stated that Thai immigration police and military task forces are working together to provide assistance according to humane procedures and to identify those fleeing as fraud suspects or trapped victims of human trafficking. Those who are not victims may be charged with illegal border crossing. Thai authorities have also prepared additional detention space in case existing space becomes insufficient. Thai border forces have also increased their presence and are working closely with local security agencies to respond to this situation and maintain order along the Thai-Myanmar border.
Some analysts believe that the Myanmar government’s recent series of raids is intended to demonstrate to the international community its efforts to combat cybercrime.