Foreigners rescued from exploitation in Myanmar by Thai task force

The Ratchamanu Task Force, based in Tak’s Mae Sot district, rescued 39 people this morning, mostly Sri Lankans, who claim they were lured into working in Myanmar’s Myawaddy town with false promises.


The task force intercepted the group as they crossed the Moei River into Mae Sot district at 5am. The operation was carried out at the request of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand.


The group comprised 32 Sri Lankans, five Nepalese, one Malaysian and a Russian.


A representative of the group said they had been lured into working for a Chinese-owned business in Myawaddy but, once there, the work conditions did not match what had been promised.


They were forced to work long hours, prompting them to reach out to friends and the embassy for help, which finally led to their rescue.


The area in which they were working is under the control of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, located opposite Thailand’s Phop Phra district in Tak province.

Foreigners rescued from exploitation in Myanmar by Thai task