KANCHANABURI: The arrest of another 71 Myanmar nationals who illegally crossed into Sai Yok district on Monday raised the number caught in one day in the district to 260.
More were expected to follow.
Police said the fourth group of job seekers, 36 men and 35 women, were arrested by a police-military patrol about 5pm near Phu Phaya, or Moo 4 village, in tambon Si Mongkhon. They had entered through a natural border crossing.
They were from Dawei, Bago and Mawlumyine townships in Myanmar - having paid 17,000-20,000 baht each to brokers for jobs in Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Saraburi, Chon Buri and Kanchanaburi.
Like the others, they were charged with illlegal entry and violating the emergency decree, and would later be returned to Myanmar.
Earlier on Monday, three groups comprising 14, 34 and 141 job seekers were caught after crossing the border into Sai Yok district. The total number of border crossers caught in Sai Yok district on Monday was 260.
On Sunday, 120 border crossers were arrested in Sai Yok district.
Some of those arrested coud speak Thai. They said more job seekers were gathered near the border with Kanchanaburi, waiting to sneak into Thailand. They were desperate for work.
Security is being tightened to prevent illegal entry.