CHIANG RAI — Thai police officials coordinated with Myanmar authorities to repatriate 151 Thai nationals, 74 men and 77 women, on Saturday, as part of a broader crackdown on transnational online gambling and call center scam operations.
Police General Thatchai Pitaneelabutr, Senior Inspector General of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT), led a delegation to the Second Sai River Friendship Bridge in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province. The delegation included senior officials from various police divisions, including the Child Woman Protection and Anti-Human Trafficking Center (TICAC).
Speaking on January 4, Pol. Gen. Thatchai revealed that National Police Chief Kittirat Phanphet had tasked him with overseeing this operation. The repatriation stems from a joint initiative between Thai and Myanmar governments to combat transnational criminal networks involving citizens from both countries.
The breakthrough comes after discussions between Pol. Gen. Thatchai and Myanmar’s Chief of Police, Pol. Lt. Gen. Win Soe Moe. The release coincides with Myanmar’s Independence Day on January 4, 2025, when Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, head of the military government, announced mass amnesties – a common practice during national holidays.
Myanmar State-run MRTV television reported that the amnesty covers 5,864 Myanmar prisoners and 180 foreigners, including the Thai nationals who will be deported. The Thai detainees had been held in prisons across eastern Shan State.
Upon their return, all 151 individuals will undergo thorough screening to distinguish between trafficking victims and active participants in the criminal operations. “We maintain detailed records of individuals involved in these networks,” Pol. Gen. Thatchai explained.
“Some criminals attempt to pose as victims to evade prosecution.” He has directed the Police Cyber Taskforce and relevant agencies to conduct thorough investigations and pursue legal action against all implicated parties.
Meanwhile, Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, provided an update regarding the release of four Thai fishing crew members who were originally scheduled to be released on January 4.
Phumtham stated that the four fishermen were not among the 151 Thai nationals released on Myanmar’s 77th Independence Day. They remain in the release process, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring and coordinating.
The relatives of the four Thai crew members have visited them in Kawthaung, Myanmar, and reported that all are in good health and maintaining high spirits. Officials confirmed that all four will be released soon, though the exact date and time cannot be specified as the process is still ongoing.
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