The Thai security forces' Army PR Center posted on social media that 69 Myanmar citizens who illegally went across two Thai-Myanmar border checkpoints were arrested within two days.

According to the post, 44 Myanmar citizens who illegally entered Thailand through the Ranong-Kawthaung border checkpoint on the Thai-Burmese border were arrested on December 25.

On December 26, 25 Myanmar citizens were arrested at the Htee Khi border checkpoint on the Thai-Burmese border, where Kanchanaburi borders Dawei. According to their statements made in the police station, they paid 20,000 to 25,000 baht to be smuggled across the border illegally to work in Thailand.

In normal times, millions of Myanmar migrant workers work legally or illegally in Thailand. However, the situation has been complicated over the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions both the Thai and Burmese authorities have put on the borders.