NAKHON PHANOM: A patrol of the Mekong Riverine Unit arrested 57 Lao nationals who illegally crossed the Mekong river in long-tail boats to That Phanom district of this northeastern border province late on Saturday night.
Capt Chatchawal Toroong, the Nakhon Phanom MRU commander, said the patrol intercepted them on the river bank in tambon Nam Kam as they were leaving on three pickups.
Six guides, four Thai and two Lao nationals, were also arrested.
Yodchai Netwong, 45, one of the Thai guides, said they were hired by Lao businessmen to take the border crossers to promised jobs in Thailand. The guides were being paid 1,500-3,000 baht per head depending on the travelling distance.
Capt Chatchawal said Lao workers are currently in high demand by Thai businesses.