CNI News
12 Nov 2022
As Thailand has tightened security at home and abroad, Myanmar nationals who visit Thailand by air are required to submit all official documents to Thai authorities, labour activists for Myanmar workers told the CNI.
Thai authorities have tightened the security as they are hosting the 9th APEC summit and further security measures are likely to be imposed, according to them.
Thai Royal Police. (Bangkok Post)
Ko Thar Gyi, who has been offering help to Myanmar migrant workers, told the CNI, "Although it is true that Thai authorities have tightened the security for the summit, they have always been searching for illegal migrants. Currently, they are targeting Myanmar nationals. When Myanmar national visit Thailand with tourist visas, they target Myanmar nationals by checking whether they have required show money, have booked hotel rooms, and so on. I think Thai authorities are doing so under a certain agreement between them under a new policy. Some migrants abandoned their official documents and stay here. So, Thai authorities check everything from show money to hotel bookings. Some Myanmar visitors come to Thailand with only one thousand Baht. So, such people face problems"
In recent days, some Myanmar nationals visiting Thailand could submit show money and round trip tickets to Thailand, but they were denied entry as they had not booked hotel rooms in advance.
Later, the Myanmar Embassy in Thailand issued a statement on 10th November, saying that Myanmar nationals visiting Thailand are required to submit show money, tickets for round trips and evidence for hotel bookings or accommodation to stay.
The police inspect tourists at an airport.
Myanmar individuals are required to submit US$ worth 10,000 Baht while each family is required to show 20,000 US$.
Some airport authorities, in cooperation with agents, asked for bribe from Myanmar nationals who cannot provide sufficient documents, Labour Activist U Min Oo of the FED told the CNI.
He said, "As far as we know, they could not communicate in Thai language and authorities promised to let them go if someone guaranteed for them. However, at late night, they were ransomed for as much as Baht 10,000 for their release.However, it is important that we need to submit all the required documents including the return tickets, hotel bookings and addresses because Thailand is hosting the APEC summit. So, they are tightening the security not only at borders but also at airports."
Although security has been tightened, some migrants were not arrested when they met with empathetic officers and unfortunate ones were deported to Myanmar.
Thai authorities are tightening the security at its airports but they are scrutinizing Myanmar nationals more than others.
