TAK: Four Myanmar nationals were arrested by a government patrol after they waded across the Moei River from Myawaddy in the small hours on Monday.
The four were spotted by a joint patrol of military, police and civilian personnel while hiding in forest near Don Chai village in tambon Mae Tao, Mae Sot district.
They carried no passports or other travel documents. They identified themselves as Aung Ku, 29, Thana, 24, Ah Jo, 55, and Ah Thu, 50.
Ah Jo and Ah Thu tested positive for drug use. Ah Thu also had in his possession 12,349 baht and a mobile phone.
They were taken to Mae Sot police station where they were charged with illegal entry. Ah Jo and Ah Thu were additionally charged with using drugs.
Patrols along the border have been intensified to block illegal entry from Myanmar, where the number of Covid-19 infections is on the rise.
On Sunday, a group of local villagers gathered in front of the border checkpoint at the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge at Ban Wang Ta Khian in tambon Tha Sai Luat.
They called for provincial authorities to close all border checkpoints in the province to prevent the spread of Covid-19 across the border until the situation has been resolved, after three Myanmar nationals tested positive for the coronavirus at the Thai border.
The villagers submitted their letter to provincial governor Pongrat Piromrat, via district officials, before dispersing.