More Thais brave river crossing

More Thais brave river crossing

NARATHIWAT: Fifty more Thais waded across the Sungai Kolok River back into Thailand from Malaysia yesterday while aware that doing might lead to prosecution.

They were met on the river bank near the Buereng community by one of six teams of soldiers from the 48th Ranger Regiment patrolling a seven-kilometre stretch of the river.

A steady flow of stranded workers and their children have resorted to crossing the border illegally, instead of waiting to return through official border checkpoints in compliance with anti-Covid-19 measures.

They admitted sneaking into the country was wrong and crossing the river was risky, but they were at their wits end having to remain in Malaysia.

"We have no money to buy food for our families," said one worker, who asked not to be named.

"It's better to be arrested and sent into state quarantine."

Unable to afford the cost of travelling home through border checkpoints, which requires embassy letters and health certificates, the workers opted for the illegal channel.

The returnees said they had been stranded in Malaysia without jobs or money because all businesses had been shut down.

Their situation worsened after Malaysia last week decided to extend its border closure order for another two weeks to May 12.

Kuala Lumpur has also extended its movement control order, which ended on Tuesday, as part of measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

The 50 who crossed the border illegally yesterday were taken to the Sungai Kolok border checkpoint. They were charged with illegal entry and each fined 800 baht.

After health screening, they were sent to their home provinces for 14-day quarantine at locations prepared by local health officials.

In Songkhla, officials continue to welcome workers entering the country legally through the Padang Besar checkpoint, following a report of Covid-19 infections among officials at the Sadao border crossing.

"There are still officials testing positive for Covid-19," Songkhla governor Charuwat Kliangklao said.

The Sadao checkpoint, which has been closed since last Thursday, was set to reopen today, but because of the lingering cases the opening has been rescheduled.

The governor did not say when the checkpoint would reopen.

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