260 Foreigners Deported from DKBA-Controlled Border Area

Mae Sot, Thailand – A total of 260 foreigners deported to Thailand from an area controlled by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) along the Myanmar-Thailand border, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The deportations highlight the growing concerns over illegal migration and security along the border region.

According to sources, the 260 foreigners deported were detained in a DKBA-administered area near Myawaddy, a key border town in Myanmar’s Karen State. The group reportedly included citizens from various countries, including China, Vietnam, and several South Asian nations. Many of them were believed to have entered the region illegally, possibly in search of work or attempting to use Myanmar as a transit point to third countries.

Local Thai authorities in Mae Sot, Tak Province, said they coordinated with their Myanmar counterparts to facilitate the return of the deportees. Thai immigration officials confirmed that the deported individuals were being processed and screened for further action, including potential repatriation to their home countries.

“The Thai authorities are conducting necessary checks to determine if any of these individuals have outstanding warrants or legal violations,” an immigration officer stated. “Those without legal issues will be sent back to their respective countries as per immigration protocols.”

The DKBA, a Karen ethnic armed group that operates semi-autonomously within Myanmar, has often been linked to border trade, security operations, and migration issues in the region. The group’s leadership has yet to comment on the deportation, but sources suggest that increasing pressure from both Thai and Myanmar authorities contributed to their decision to expel the foreign nationals.

This incident is part of a broader trend of border security challenges in the region. With ongoing instability in Myanmar following the 2021 military coup, illegal crossings, human trafficking, and migration issues have surged.

Thai authorities have reinforced border patrols to prevent unlawful entries and have increased cooperation with Myanmar-based groups to manage migration concerns.

International organizations have raised concerns over the treatment of migrants and deportees, urging authorities to ensure that deported individuals are not at risk of persecution or harm upon their return.

Human rights groups have also called for improved regional cooperation to address the root causes of irregular migration and enhance legal pathways for those seeking refuge or work opportunities.

As Thailand continues to navigate complex migration issues along its borders, the fate of the 260 deportees remains under close observation by both local and international stakeholders.

According to reports from Thailand, the 260 foreigners deported included 16 Filipinos, 23 Kenyans, one Tanzanian, two Brazilians, 138 Ethiopians, 12 Pakistanis, two Bangladeshis, seven Nepalese, one Cambodian, one Sri Lankan, six Ugandans, seven Taiwanese, six Laotians, eight Indonesians, two Burundians, one Nigerian, one Ghanaian, one Indian, 15 Malaysians, and 10 Chinese.