Sri Lankans face illegal entry charges in Phuket

Bangkok Post: A number of 25 Sri Lankan migrants were arrested for alleged illegal entry in Phuket on Wednesday.

The immigrants 18 men, six women and a two-year-old boy, were apprehended in Ban Kok Tanod of tambon Chalong at 11:00 a.m. after the Police found them walking along Chao Fah Road.

The group told the Police they travelled from Malaysia to Phuket by bus to find work. Some have UN-issued refugee cards which require them to stay only in Malaysia, police said, adding they will face illegal entry charges.

The migrants said that they paid around 3,000 to 5,000 Baht per head to travel from Malaysia by a bus that left on Saturday. They said drivers had been changed every day and a motorcycle led the way.

They were dropped off near Chalong and the bus drove off immediately. They had walked for about 90 minutes to the spot where they were arrested.

The Police said it was likely they were hoping to work in Thailand, drawn by higher wages, but were dumped after the advance lookout seen the Police ahead.