Dec 16, 2008 (DVB), At least eight Burmese migrant workers were killed and eight others injured yesterday when the truck they were travelling in overturned in Kanchanaburi province in Thailand.

Htoo Chit, director of the Grassroots Human Rights Education and Development, said the cause of the accident was not yet known.

"I don’t know where they were coming from as it happened at a junction," Htoo Chit said.

"At least eight died and eight were taken to the emergency ward in Kanchanaburi province. There are unconfirmed reports that two more died in hospital," he said.

"Whether they are here legally or not, our organisations have been trying to get compensation under Thai law. We are studying the incident properly and I think we can give the necessary assistance."

Similar accidents in the same area involving migrant workers have been reported in the past.

Reporting by Naw Say Phaw