BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): A group of 151 Thai nationals, who had completed their sentences for online gambling-related offences in Myanmar prisons, were repatriated home on Saturday.
The group consisting of 74 men and 77 women were sent back through the Friendship Bridge No. 2 checkpoint in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province.
Senior Inspector-General Pol General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, in his capacity as the director of the Technology Crime Suppression Centre, Royal Thai Police, welcomed Pol Colonel Than Xin, deputy commander of Shan State Police, Myanmar, at 8pm.
The Thai nationals were released from prison as part of pardons granted to many people on Myanmar's Independence Day, which was marked on Saturday (January 4), to mark the country's declaration of independence from Britain.
At the beginning of 2024, Myanmar authorities launched a major crackdown on online gambling and call centre gangs, resulting in the arrest of 154 Thai nationals who faced charges of illegal immigration and involvement in illegal gambling operations.
A Myanmar court sentenced all of them to approximately one year in prison. However, two juveniles were sent back earlier, and one person died during incarceration, leaving 151 Thai nationals to be released on this occasion.
Thai officials took the 151 individuals to undergo screening procedures.
Health officials conducted medical checkups, while Immigration Bureau officers followed immigration protocols. Officers from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security screened and separated individuals to determine if they were victims of human trafficking or involved in online gambling networks and call centre gangs.
Afterward, the individuals were questioned by police from the Special Branch Police Division to gather information for further investigation.
Subsequently, Cyber Police officials held a meeting to exchange information and collaborate with the deputy commander of Shan State Police and his team regarding measures to combat online gambling, call centre gangs, human trafficking, and other forms of cybercrimes.
The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation between the two countries and expanding efforts in related areas moving forward. - The Nation Thailand/ANN
