50 Rohingya held after chase in Phang Nga, smugglers escape
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Fifty Rohingya people were apprehended after a pursuit yesterday in Phang Nga province when smugglers attempting to transport them in three pick-up trucks were intercepted by civilian authorities.
The group, six of whom are children, have been detained by police pending charges of illegal entry and repatriation, Manit Phianthong, chief of Takua Pa district, said. Manit led a stakeout that intercepted the three vehicles and later pursued two of the cars, which sought initially to get away.
Manit said they had received tip-offs from residents that illegal migrants were on their way to Malaysia, after being smuggled into Thailand via Ranong. A stakeout was set up on Sunday evening and they spotted the three cars at 3.30am. The three drivers managed to escape in the darkness, after one hit a power pole and two others headed into palm plantations and got stuck.
