BANGKOK: Thailand arrested 70 immigrants, including 30 children, who were suspected of being Rohingya in the country illegally from Myanmar, a Thai official said on Saturday ( Nov 16 ), in the latest wave of arrivals in Southeast Asia.
Rohingya Muslims are viewed as West Asian foreigners who are abused and denied citizenship in Myanmar.
” From original questioning them, they said they are Muslims from Myanmar heading to Malaysia or Indonesia”, said Somkane Phothisri, chief of Phang Nga municipal police.
In images that Reuters obtained from officials, the group was seen with women wearing hijabs on a beach on a southern Thailand beach.
Some Rohingya have traveled to neighboring countries like Thailand and Bangladesh in rickety wooden vessels, as well as Malaysia and Indonesia, which have a Muslim majority, especially in October and April when the seas are calmer.
According to Phang Nga Governor Supoj Rodrung na Nongkhai, who added that officials were also looking into the matter,” We are unable to decide whether they are Rohingya or Myanmar who have already entered the country improperly.”
The Department of Social Development and Welfare did take care of the kids, he said.
Last month, ships carrying thousands of Rohingya landed in Indonesia.