260 Trafficked Individuals Rescued from Myanmar to Thailand, Majority Are Ethiopian Nationals

260 Trafficked Individuals Rescued from Myanmar to Thailand, Majority Are Ethiopian Nationals

Thailand, February 13, 2025: Thailand has rescued 260 victims of human trafficking who were trapped in illegal online scam centers from Myanmar. The Thai army announced on Thursday that these victims come from various nationalities, and the process of repatriating them to their home countries has begun.

The 260 individuals were sent from Myanmar to Thailand's Tak province, where they were rescued. Among those rescued, there are nationals from Ethiopia, Kenya, the Philippines, Malaysia, Pakistan, China, and a total of 20 different nationalities. According to the United Nations, such scam centers have proliferated across Southeast Asia, particularly along the Thailand-Myanmar border, where vast amounts of money are being scammed from victims.

This was a major operation conducted with the help of both the Thai and Myanmar armies. A Myanmar ethnic militia group, the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, which controls the border area, played a key role in releasing the victims and sending them to the border.

The Thai army stated that after verifying the nationalities of the victims, they were identified as human trafficking victims. They will be placed under protection and sent back to their home countries.

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said, "This was a difficult operation, and we are preparing to rescue many more scam workers. However, we will only accept those who are ready to return to their home countries."

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, during her recent visit to China, promised to take strict measures against these scam networks. China has also expressed concern about these scam centers, and Chinese public security officials recently visited Thailand to inspect the border area.

This rescue operation plays an important role as part of ongoing efforts against human trafficking across Southeast Asia.