71 more Cambodians arrested by marines after crossing into Chanthaburi
Thai marines in Chanthaburi have arrested 71 more Cambodian nationals — including women and children — after they allegedly crossed the border at night in search of work, with authorities saying the group claimed they were fleeing famine at home.
The Royal Thai Navy said its marines in Chanthaburi have arrested 71 more Cambodians who allegedly crossed the border unlawfully at night in an attempt to seek work in Thailand.
Royal Thai Navy spokesman Rear Adm Parach Rattanachaiphan said the group — including women and children — was arrested near the border in Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi, by marines from the Chanthaburi Marine Task Force, in cooperation with local and immigration police.
Parach said the arrests were made in the early hours of Tuesday after the group used natural terrain to cross the border on Monday night.
They told Thai authorities they were trying to escape famine in their country and seek work in Thailand.
The 71 were handed over to immigration police for legal action and deportation.
On Sunday morning, marines from the Chanthaburi Marine Task Force arrested 10 Cambodian men, 10 Cambodian women and 10 Cambodian children after they crossed the border unlawfully into Ban Laem Mai village, Thep Nimit subdistrict, Pong Nam Ron district. That group also told Thai authorities they were trying to escape famine in their country.
