SONGKHLA - Security officials have rounded up nearly 400 Rohingya migrants who claimed they were being trafficked to Malaysia.
They were found in a rubber plantation near the Thai-Malaysian border in Sadao district on Thursday.
Rohingyas from Myanmar are rounded up by authorities at the border in Songkhla province. (Photo by Wichayant Boonchote)
About 50 soldiers, police and officials discovered 397 Rohingya migrants, including 66 children packed in makeshift huts in Ban Chaikhuan Thungmaiduan village of tambon Padang Besar.
Police said the Rohingyas, most of them adult males, were in weak condition. Some were carrying injuries while others were ill. Several tried to escape but were soon caught.
Five men were in charge of the rest and kept them confined in the shelters, Pol Col Krissakorn Paleetunyawong, deputy commander of Songkhla police said. The security officials also seized a pistol, a sword, 10 cell phones and one notebook computer.