On 16th
Feb., Thai polices raided Maesod market at 5 a.m. and arrest about 300 Burmese
migrant workers. “They blocked the road and arrested every by-passer. In the
market, many sellers were arrested.” a witness said. According to Thai news agencies,
authorities are planning to arrest every undocumented migrant worker.
This time is
the first time in this year. However some of the detainees have necessary documents.
Why they were arrested is unclear, and it’s likely they have to pay file
charges. The tea-shops and restaurants were closed because of the arrest. Among
the detainees some were released with the recommendation of their employers. Others
are still kept in migration detention centers. Burmese people who live
illegally are arrested and sent back to Burma lately. A lot of Burmese people live in Maesod bordered
with Myawaddy from Karen State, Burma. Mostly Burmese migrant workers work at
garment factories, knitting factories, construction sites and agricultural areas.
