Two van loads of illegal migrants caught in Phatthalung

Some of the 71 illegal Myanmar migrants, at Na Khayat police station in Muang district, Phatthalung. They were caught on Monday by highway police while travelling in two vans heading for Hat Yai district in Songkhla. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan)
A few of the 71 illegal Myanmar migrants, at Em Khayat police place in Muang area, Phatthalung. They were caught on Monday simply by highway police whilst travelling in 2 vans heading for Head wear Yai district within Songkhla. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan)

PHATTHALUNG: Highway police arrested 71 unlawful Myanmar migrants traveling in two vans that were stopped and searched in Muang district on Mon.

The 2 vans, a six-wheeler and a four-wheeler, had been stopped by freeway police after they sped through a checkpoint, raising suspicions.

Fifty migrants had been found in the first vehicle. They were accompanied by 2 Thai men, the driver and a guide.

Police discovered another 21 migrant workers in the second vehicle, also with a Thai driver and manual.

The particular 71 migrants had been handed over to Em Khayat police station in Muang area for legal process, pending repatriation. The particular four Thais were charged with providing assistance to foreigners who else had entered the country illegally.

Marut Permpongpipat, thirty-one, the driver of the 1st van and through Ratchaburi, said he was hired and paid 4, 1000 baht  to take their passengers from Prachuap Khiri Khan in order to Hat Yai area, Songkhla province.