Ninety-two Thais deported from Laos face legal proceedings for alleged offences including telephone fraud and illegal entry.
The group was handed over to Thai officials on Tuesday at the Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge checkpoint in Chiang Khong district after completing their cases in Laos.
Thai agencies screened the returnees under the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), finding no initial indicators of human trafficking. Most told officers they had travelled to Laos after seeing online job advertisements offering salaries of 18,000-25,000 baht a month, with free accommodation and food.
Fifteen returnees, including 11 men and four women, were found to have outstanding arrest warrants for offences including drug trafficking, theft, fraud, embezzlement and mule-account operations.
All 92 face proceedings in Thailand for illegal entry or departure, with each facing an estimated fine of 2,000 baht.