New Delhi: India has announced that it is coordinating with Thai authorities for the repatriation of Indian nationals who have escaped from a notorious scam center in Myanmar and sought refuge in Thailand. This development follows the announcement by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul that a special flight is being arranged to repatriate approximately 500 Indian citizens.
The situation arose after Myanmar’s military launched a crackdown on KK Park, a Chinese-backed cybercrime hub. This operation led to the exodus of over 1,500 individuals from 28 different countries, including India and China, who fled to Mae Sot, a border town in Thailand, in the past week.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed its awareness of Indian nationals detained by Thai authorities after their crossing from Myanmar. “Our mission in Thailand is working closely with Thai authorities to verify their nationality and to repatriate them after necessary legal formalities are completed in Thailand,” stated Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the external affairs ministry.
Sources indicate that around 500 Indian nationals illegally entered Thailand last week, primarily congregating in Mae Sot. Many of these individuals are believed to be victims of cybercrime rings operating from KK Park, which allegedly lured them with false job promises. Others may have been involved in running these scam operations.
The process has been complicated by the fact that many of these individuals reportedly lack passports or entered Thailand without legal documentation following the Myanmar military’s crackdown.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin mentioned that the Indian ambassador is collaborating with the head of immigration to expedite the legal verification for the 500 Indian nationals before their departure on the special flight. He added that India has requested Thailand’s cooperation and wishes to manage the situation without burdening the host country.
While the exact timing of the flight was not officially confirmed by the Indian side, Prime Minister Anutin indicated that the plane would land directly in Mae Sot.
This operation follows a similar initiative in March, where India successfully repatriated 549 nationals who had been freed from cybercrime centers along the Myanmar-Thailand border through two military flights.
KK Park in Myanmar is known as a notorious complex where various Chinese criminal gangs engage in large-scale transnational cyber scams. The compound is reportedly protected by local militia groups connected to Myanmar’s military commanders.