Thai-language news agency Khao Sod reported that 83 Burmese migrant workers in the Thai border town of Mae Sai were rounded up by security forces as they continue to search for more suspects in the Bangkok bombing incident.

The report quoted Thai army Region 2 commander Col. Sonyud Thongkung saying that a combined force of more than 200 army, police and local government officials raided seven locations in two neighbourhoods in Mae Sai on 8 September, apparently following a tip-off that the bomber or his accomplices may have been hiding out among the migrants. It said the raid was also a measure to search for illegal firearms, drugs and undocumented migrants.

The report said the officials rounded up 83 migrants but could not find the bombers, nor firearms or drugs.

The migrants were taken to the Mae Sai immigration department where they will be checked for paperwork and face necessary action if found to be living in Thailand illegally.

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Another Thai news group, Thai Rath, reported that four Thai nationals – landlords of Burmese migrants – were being charged by police for harbouring illegal migrants.

On 17 August, a bomb exploded at the Erawan Shrine in central Bangkok, killing 20 persons and injuring 125. Members of China’s Uighur community are currently being held as suspects.