Officials from the Burapha Task Force and security forces of Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province on Wednesday apprehended 15 Cambodian nationals who illegally crossed the border in two separate groups, including a 2-year-old girl.
The arrests shed light on the harsh reality faced by these individuals. All of them were former workers at the Rong Kluea Market who had been forced to return to Cambodia following the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, as ordered by Cambodian leaders Hun Sen and Hun Manet. However, upon returning home, they found themselves struggling with hunger and unemployment, prompting them to risk crossing the border back into Thailand in search of work.
The first arrest occurred around 9:00 PM when a group of nine Cambodians was detained after illegally entering from Ban Dong Ngou, Pa Rai Subdistrict. Upon questioning, they revealed they had previously worked in shoe repair at Rong Klueu Market but had returned to Cambodia out of fear that the new border measures would prevent their re-entry. Upon their return, they found themselves without work or income. With their familiarity with the border route, they decided to cross back into Thailand on foot, without hiring a guide.
Around the same time, in Khlong Nam Sai Subdistrict, another group of six Cambodians, including a two-year-old girl, was caught while walking through a sugarcane field. Two of the smugglers managed to escape. The group claimed they had been involved in trade at Rong Klueu Market and needed to return to check on their goods, which had been damaged. Unable to make ends meet, they paid a smuggler 4,000 baht each to cross back into Thailand.
The arrests of these 15 individuals highlight the severe impact of the border conflict, which has forced workers to risk their lives and bring their families—some with young children—across dangerous terrain in search of survival. All 15 individuals were taken into custody and are facing legal action under Thailand’s immigration laws.