Illegal migrant workers nabbed in Thai North

BANGKOK, May 17 (TNA) - Immigration police have apprehended over 30 illegal Myanmar migrant workers and six other Thai people in a raid at a Karaoke bar in Chiang Mai Province in the Thai North. Police Colonel Wanlop Kangtarathip, a commander at Thailand's Immigration Division 5, told reporters on Saturday that he led local immigration police to raid the karaoke bar in the “Chiang Mai Land” housing project, after tip-offs that the entertainment venue was used as a hiding place for illegal migrant workers. As a result of the operation, Police Colonel Wanlop said, 30 illegal migrant workers from Myanmar, both male and female, and six Thai people, including the owner of the Karaoke bar were arrested. The owner of the karaoke bar and his men were charged for aiding illegal migrants, while the Myanmar workers were charged with illegal entry into Thailand. According to the local immigration commander, the illegal migrant workers, who entered Thailand from Chiang Rai's Mae Sai District with assistance of human traffickers, would be sent to work in local restaurants, construction sites and farms. (TNA)