Thalang, Phuket –
In an early morning incident, 49 Myanmar nationals were discovered on Mai Khao Beach near the Phuket Checkpoint in Tha Chatchai. The Tha Chatchai Police were alerted at approximately 1:45 A.M. on Tuesday, January 21st, by a local who reported seeing a large group of people walking on the beach and looking lost.
According to the police statement given to the Phuket Express, the group was part of a larger contingent of 75 individuals who were reportedly smuggled from near Bangladesh, aiming for a ‘Third Country’. During their journey, some members of the group were allegedly assaulted by smugglers, leading to fatalities, with others being abandoned on the beach.
Upon discovery, the group was immediately taken to the Phuket Immigration Checkpoint. None of the individuals were able to provide any documentation to the officers, complicating initial identification efforts. The authorities are currently in the process of verifying the nationalities of these individuals for legal proceedings.
The police have confirmed that the group consists of Myanmar nationals. They have been provided with food and temporary accommodation while their situation is assessed. The investigation into this human trafficking incident continues, with efforts now focused on finding those responsible.
