Bakery Shop Acted As Hide Out For Illegal Workers

Two bakers have been arrested in Sa Kaeo on suspicion of smuggling illegal workers into Thailand.

The women, who run a bakery adjacent to the Rong Kluea Border Market, were named as shop owner Chunliang Pan, 35, and manager Kum Rin, 38.

When police entered the shop, a three storey building, they discovered seven Cambodian workers, who had no papers and were allegedly awaiting to be moved to Yala Province, close to the border with Malaysia.

The three men and two women originated from the Kampong Cham Province of Cambodia, had jumped a border fence to obtain access to Thailand. They then hid in the shop, awaiting transportation to Yala.

During questioning, the Cambodians told police their employer paid 6,500 baht each to have them brought to Yala, which in turn would be deducted from future earnings.

They were also to take on the identities of other workers, which would help them avoid arrest.

Unfortunately for the migrants, they were caught before leaving Sa Kaeo and deported.

It is unclear if the employers were named or what action would be taken against them.

Source: Thai Visa