Ten Cambodian citizens, including three children, were taken into custody by the Thai Navy on February 8, as they attempted to return home, according to a Thai navy spokesperson.
In a social media post earlier today, February 9, navy spokesperson Parach Rattanachaiphan said that Marine Ranger Task Force 2 of the Chanthaburi Marine Task Unit apprehended 10 Cambodian nationals, 3 men, 4 women and 3 children, in the area of Ban Laem, Thep Nimit Subdistrict, Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi Province, bordering Doung International Checkpoint, near Battambang province’s Kamrieng district.
He said the individuals did not possess travel documents to show they had legally entered Thailand, and appeared to be attempting to travel back to Cambodia.
“After preliminary questioning, it was determined that the group had travelled from Rayong and Chanthaburi and intended to return to Cambodia,” the spokesperson said.
The individuals were transferred to officers at Ban Plaeng Police Station for further legal proceedings and reportedly claimed that they were treated appropriately, with consideration for human dignity.
Sun Mesa, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, urged Thai authorities to facilitate the return of Cambodian citizens to Cambodia without having to go through Thai procedures. He added that the labour pays close attention to the circumstances of Cambodian citizens in Thailand, whether they have documents or not.
“We encourage the Thai authorities to facilitate the return of Cambodian citizens to their homeland, because they are returning to take up job opportunities or return to their hometowns. Therefore, there should be no implementation of any procedures,” he said.
The labour attaché and the Cambodian embassy team in Bangkok are expected to find a way to coordinate on this issue, he said.
