Authorities in Thailand detained a total of 107 Myanmar citizens, including women, at the Khao Min Monastery in Kanchanaburi Province of Thailand after entering, via Three Pagodas Pass in Payathonzu town of Kyainseikgyi Township, without necessary documentation on Oct. 11, according to Thai officials
The regime in Myanmar, which seized power in Naypyidaw during the 2021 military coup, has enforced a military conscription law on Feb. 10, 2024, which mandates males aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 serve a minimum of two years in the military.
Many Myanmar youth have fled the country to escape conscription. A nationwide uprising following the 2021 coup has spread conflict to all states and regions of the country, which has led to an exodus for anyone with means in Myanmar.
The Thai government launched a pilot work permit scheme on Oct. 1 for long-term Myanmar refugees living in nine camps along the 1,501 miles (2,416 km) long border. The 107 Myanmar citizens detained in Kanchanaburi were on their way to Phuket for work opportunities, according to Myanmar residents in Thailand.
Kyainseikgyi is located 87 miles (140 km) south of the Karen State capital Hpa-An. Thai officials stated that nearly 100 undocumented Burma nationals seeking work in Thailand were arrested at a checkpoint near Khao Ton village in Kanchanaburi Province on Sept. 30.
The 107 detained on Oct. 11 will face deportation, according to Thai law.
BNI
