AYUTTHAYA — Police in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province conducted a pre-dawn raid Sunday on a construction workers’ camp in Nong Nam Som subdistrict, Uthai district, following reports of illegal foreign laborers.
The operation on December 8, carried out jointly by Ayutthaya police and Uthai district administrative officials, led to dramatic scenes as panicked workers attempted to escape, with some even climbing onto rooftops.
Authorities successfully detained 100 Myanmar nationals, including 26 men and 11 women who were found without passports. The suspects were charged with illegally entering and residing in the Kingdom without permission and were transferred to Uthai Police Station for further legal proceedings.
In a compassionate gesture, police officers ordered grilled chicken with sticky rice to feed the detained workers while processing their cases.
Speaking to reporters, a 32-year-old Myanmar worker identified as Lucky revealed that the workers had entered Thailand illegally through natural border passages in Mae Hong Son province. Each worker paid between 15,000 to 20,000 baht for the journey. He explained that general laborers earned 500 baht daily, while skilled workers received 600 baht per day. Lucky cited the ongoing conflict in Myanmar as the primary reason for seeking work in neighboring countries.
“The fighting in Myanmar has forced us to seek opportunities abroad to survive,” Lucky told reporters.
The raid highlights Thailand’s ongoing challenges with illegal immigration, particularly as neighboring Myanmar continues to face internal conflict, driving more people to seek work opportunities across the border.
