A total of 131 illegal migrant workers who were apparently abandoned by brokers after paying almost 50,000 baht each in hopes of getting jobs ended up being arrested in Muang district of Samut Sakhon.
A combined team of immigration officers, police and local officials in Samut Sakhon raided 80 rooms in village Moo 4 in tambon Khok Kham on Thursday evening and found many people were inside, said Samut Sakhon immigration police on Friday.
There were 76 men and 55 women, all foreign nationals who had entered the country illegally. Although some migrants presented passports, none had valid immigration stamps, and most lacked any documentation.
Initial questioning revealed that the migrants had been smuggled through natural border crossings in Kanchanaburi, Ranong, and Tak provinces, before being transported by brokers to Samut Sakhon, where they were told to hide while waiting to be sent to workplaces.
After arriving, the brokers disappeared, claiming they would return to arrange factory employment. Each migrant had paid nearly 50,000 baht in total for transport and other fees, only to be left stranded.
Deputy Samut Sakhon governor Khetrat Charnsil said all 131 migrant workers had entered the country illegally.
He insisted that provincial authorities have enforced strict measures against undocumented labour. The deputy governor added that authorities were working to identify and prosecute all individuals involved in the smuggling network, including those who facilitated transportation and provided shelter.
The illegal migrants would be deported back to their countries of origin, he said. Although he did not name the countries, some Thai media reported that they were from Myanmar.
Pol Maj Gen Teeradej Athipakkhakun, commander of Samut Sakhon police, said the investigation was being expanded to track down everyone connected to the operation.
He urged the public to report any suspicious activity related to illegal migrant labour to help maintain public safety and social order.