The Myanmar junta-allied Karen State Border Guard Force (BGF) is facing difficulties in managing over 8,700 foreign nationals rescued from scam compounds in Karen State’s Myawaddy Township as the repatriation process is taking longer than expected.
The number only represents those rescued from scam parks in areas controlled by the BGF, including Myawaddy town, Shwe Kokko new city, KK Park, and Mae Htaw Talay village. Foreigners are also being rescued from scam gangs in areas of Myawaddy Township controlled by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA).
Over 2,000 foreigners have been scheduled for repatriation following nationality verification. However, only 621 Chinese nationals and a few dozen Indonesians have been handed over to Thai authorities at the No. 2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge so far.
Lieutenant Colonel Naing Maung Zaw of the BGF said: “We had to construct large buildings within a few days to accommodate [the rescued]. With so many people crowded together, we also have to keep bathrooms and toilets clean to prevent outbreaks of disease.”
On Monday, BGF chief Colonel Saw Chit Thu met with foreigners rescued from KK Park and vowed they would be repatriated in 10 days.
According to a source close to the BGF, feeding the detainees awaiting repatriation over the past 10 days has cost approximately 10 million baht (US$295,000). Cigarettes are being provided for smokers at a rate of two pickup truckloads per day, and alternative meals are being arranged for those who reject the rice and curry provided.
The BGF transferred 84 Indonesians to Thai authorities on Thursday morning – though around 70 had been scheduled for repatriation before the scam crackdown began early this month.
A resident assisting with the repatriation process told The Irrawaddy that nearly 200 more Indonesian citizens have been rescued in the crackdown.
“Even for Chinese nationals, it takes about five days to verify their documents before they can be repatriated, and not all Chinese nationals have been transferred yet,” the source said.
Rights group Justice for Myanmar exposed the BGF’s involvement in Chinese-run online scams, illegal casino, and online gambling operations in Myawaddy in May last year.
Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has sought arrest warrants for the three BGF leaders – Colonel Saw Chit Thu, Lieutenant Colonel Mote Thone, and Major Tin Win – on suspicion of human trafficking.
In response to pressure from China and Thailand, the BGF and DKBA have been raiding scam compounds and detaining foreigners within their territory on the Myanmar-Thai border.
The thousands of detainees reportedly include individuals with health issues and mental problems. Escape attempts from transit camps are also posing a challenge to their long-term detention, according to a volunteer assisting with the repatriation process.
“They thought they would be rescued immediately, but their countries are not ready to take them back, so they are becoming restless as days pass. We are doing our best here, but some are trying to escape,” the source said.
Individuals close to the BGF said the repatriation process could be accelerated if Thailand agreed to accept verified foreign nationals.
Meanwhile, the DKBA has rounded up 1,000 foreigners involved in online gambling and fraud operations in its Kyauk Khet territory. However, only around 400 have been transferred to Thailand and the DKBA is facing difficulties in housing and feeding the remaining detainees, said sources.
Shortages have been reported in border areas since Thailand cut off electricity and fuel supplies as part of the scam crackdown on February 5.
