Thailand detains 70 illegal migrants believed to be Rohingya from Myanmar

Newcomers who claim to be from Myanmar and moving to Indonesia or Malaysia claim to be Muslims.

Plywood with the words "We are Myanmar Rohingya" is seen in an abandoned boat which carried Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants from Thailand, found off the coast near the city of Kuta Binje, Indonesia. (File photo: Reuters)
An abandoned ship carrying Rohingya and Bangladeshi refugees from Thailand, discovered off the coast of Kuta Binje, Indonesia, has wood with the words” We are Myanmar Rohingya.” ( File photo: Reuters )

Thailand arrested 70 illegal immigrants, including 30 kids, suspected to be Rohingya from Myanmar on an area in the government’s south, Thai official said on Saturday, in the latest wave of immigrants to Southeast Asia.

The Rohingya Muslim are viewed as North Asian foreigners who face misuse in Myanmar.

” From original questioning them, they said they are Muslims from Myanmar heading to Malaysia or Indonesia”, Somkane Phothisri, chief of Phang Nga officers, told Reuters.

Some Rohingya have traveled to neighboring states like Thailand and Bangladesh in rickety wooden boats, as well as Malaysia and Indonesia, which have a Muslim majority, especially in October and April when the seas are calmer.

Supoj Rodrung na Nongkhai, the governor of Phang Nga, told the news company,” We are also investigating whether they are Rohingya or Myanmar who have illegally entered the country.”

Last month, ships carrying thousands of Rohingya landed in Indonesia. &nbsp,

According to witness and legal files cited by Fortify Rights, a human rights organization urged Thai authorities to look into the “horrific” rape and beating of a 37-year-old Myanmar immigrant who died after being assaulted with a bamboo rod in an abandoned military basement for wearing a village defense team coat featuring the Thai symbol.