YANGON (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): Myanmar authorities detained eight Filipinos for illegally entering the country from Thailand on Jan 17.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Myanmar authorities promised to hasten the Filipinos’ repatriation after one of them, a 25-year-old woman who had been touring Thailand since December, said she and her companions did not realise it was prohibited for foreigners to cross the Thailand-Myanmar border via a boat ride from Mae Sot City in Thailand to Myawaddy, Myanmar.
Foreigners are only allowed to enter Myanmar through Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw airports. DFA spokesperson Tessie Daza said embassy officials were prevented from entering the area because of the insurgency in the area. —
