MAE SOT, THAILAND – More than 1,200 foreign nationals crossed into Thailand after a military offensive in Myanmar’s Kayin State, prompting a large-scale response by Thai police, immigration and military officials.
Mass arrival at a border crossing
Thai authorities said 1,233 foreign nationals reached Thailand via the Mae Sot border crossing in Tak province after Myanmar military units launched a major operation in the KK Park area of Myawaddy. Local police, immigration officers and military personnel mounted a coordinated reception and began verifying the identities and status of the arrivals.
Rapid screenings and early findings
Officials reported that by 25 October, 124 people had completed an initial screening. During that first phase, two individuals were identified as victims of human trafficking and were placed into rehabilitation programs under the care of relevant agencies.
Command and investigation
Deputy national police chief Police General Thatchai Pitanilabutr chaired a crisis meeting in Mae Sot on 25 October to set screening procedures and investigative protocols. “The screening and the investigation will take about four days and involve central investigative officers,” Pol Gen Thatchai said, outlining the multi-day plan.
Diplomatic and logistical challenges
Thai authorities noted the arrivals included citizens of 28 different countries, with the largest contingents coming from India, followed by China and Vietnam. Officials highlighted a particular diplomatic difficulty involving nationals from Ethiopia, which maintains no embassy in either Thailand or Myanmar, requiring special handling by the foreign ministry.
Repatriation and legal options
Pol Gen Thatchai said repatriation would be coordinated through embassies and the Thai foreign ministry, and that China had already been contacted on the matter. He added that those identified as trafficking victims would undergo rehabilitation, others would be returned to their home countries, and anyone implicated in criminal activity would face prosecution.
Past operations and what comes next
Authorities said they could draw on mechanisms used in previous mass arrivals; past operations had succeeded in returning more than 9,000 foreign nationals to their countries. As the screening continued, officials prepared for multiple outcomes — continued rehabilitation for victims, diplomatic repatriation efforts, and potential court proceedings for suspects — while keeping border regions under close watch amid ongoing migration pressures.