THE nation arrested 70 illegal immigrants including 30 children suspected to be Rohingya from Myanmar on an island in the country’s south, Thai official said, in the latest wave of arrivals to South-East Asia.
In Myanmar, the Rohingya Muslims are regarded as foreign interlopers from South Asia and are denied citizenship and subject to abuse.
“From initial questioning them, they said they are Muslims from Myanmar heading to Malaysia or Indonesia,” Somkane Phothisri, commander of Phang Nga provincial police, told Reuters.
For years, many Rohingya have attempted to reach neighbouring countries like Thailand and Bangladesh in rickety wooden boats, and to Muslim-majority Malaysia and Indonesia, especially from October to April, when the seas are calmer.
“We cannot determine if they are Rohingya or Myanmar who have illegally entered the country yet,” Phang Nga Governor Supoj Rodrung na Nongkhai said.
Last month, boats carrying hundreds of Rohingya landed in Indonesia. — Reuters
