At least 30 Thai nationals still believed to be trapped in Laukkai town in Myanmar amid intense fighting

RELATIVES UNABLE TO SEE RETURNEES YET

Meanwhile, Thailand has evacuated some 300 Thai nationals who had been caught up in the conflict in Myanmar. 

At least 30 Thai nationals are still believed to be trapped in Laukkai town in Myanmar’s northeastern Shan state.

Other nationalities like Malaysians and Filipinos are also said to be among those still stuck in Laukkai.

Increasingly, these foreigners are also dealing with food and water shortages.

Laukkai has seen intense fighting between ethnic armed groups and the Myanmar military, which seized power in a 2021 coup.

A 30-year-old Thai, who gave her name as Pang, said her boyfriend went to work in Myanmar just two months ago.

He was offered an attractive monthly salary of about US$850, with free accommodation and food.

Her boyfriend, who had never left the country before, felt this might be a great opportunity to work overseas in Myanmar.

But Pang recounted how at one point, her boyfriend grew suspicious after seeing armed men around the work premises.

He also contacted her, asking her to inform the Thai authorities.

However, she said: “I didn’t have the courage to do so. That is because there was a high risk that he may be identified and that he may eventually be harmed.”

While Pang is happy that her boyfriend has returned safely, she is now faced with another worry for her partner, as Thai authorities believe many of the evacuees worked in Myanmar as cyber scammers in exchange for handsome payouts.

“I wish I could help by providing some evidence so that my boyfriend will not be accused of scamming activities. Many are convinced that these people are call centre scammers, but that is not true. Many were not willing to work there in the first place and my boyfriend is one of them.”