A conscription order by Myanmar’s military junta government has led to an influx of Myanmar youth into Thailand, TNA reported Thursday.
Thailand shares a border with Myanmar of about 2,400 km.
Myanmar’s conscription law, aimed at recruiting about 5,000 people each month from April, has triggered a new wave of illegal entry of migrants into Thailand along the border.
In Tak Province, border patrol units arrested a group of people crossing the border into Thailand.
Security authorities in the province had set up a checkpoint on Tuesday (Feb 20) evening, and arrested 18 Myanmar nationals gathered in the back of a pickup truck.
Just an hour later, they expanded the operation and arrested another eight people, a total of 26 in one night.
Myanmar has announced that all men aged 18-35 and women aged 18 to 27 must serve in the military amid increased fighting with armed groups and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF).
Security forces arrested nearly a hundred people every day as officials were on high alert, conducting round-the-clock operations to block all escape routes.
At the Ronong-Kawthaung jetty that serves as one of the border crossings, there is an increase in boat passengers from Myanmar traveling to the Thai side. The atmosphere is bustling from morning to evening.
The permanent border checkpoint at Ranong allows legal entry and exit through the border permit system. Those entering are allowed to stay a maximum of seven days.
But previously, there were about 300-350 Myanmar nationals entering and leaving Ranong Province every day. Currently, there are more than 1,000 people per day.
Most of the passengers are young men and women, who come with their families carrying large luggage as seen during festivals when they come to visit their relatives in Thailand. However, it is not usually seen at usual times.
In Samut Sakhon, home to the largest Myanmar community in Thailand, Mong A, a 43-year-old Myanmar migrant worker, describes the current situation in his home country as chaos.
Mong A, who has worked in Thailand for more than 20 years, said the government sent troops to villages to enlist people aged 18 and above for military service for a minimum of two years.
“People on the opposite side who support the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi are panicking about being conscripted and trying to leave the country,” Mong A said.
Many of the Myanmar citizens are eyeing Thailand, where an estimated million have entered the country, and are working as laborers in various sectors such as agriculture, fishing, factories, and others, Mong A added.