Bangkok: A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the safe return of 16 Thai nationals who were deceived by a scammer gang and detained in Myawaddy.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nikorndej Plankul, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded to a civil society request for assistance regarding the detained Thais in Myawaddy. The Prime Minister tasked the Minister of Foreign Affairs with expediting the rescue process. Since October 5, 2015, the Consular Affairs Department has been working closely with the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon to assist the 16 individuals, who were lured into working as scammers in Shwe Kokko-Myawaddy, located opposite Mae Sot District in Tak Province, Myanmar. The operation received cooperation from various agencies, including the Office of the Police Attach© in Yangon, the Royal Thai Police, and the Naresuan Army, ensuring the group was safely repatriated to Thailand through the Mae Sot-Myawaddy permanent border crossing.

All 16 individuals have been evaluated under the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for human trafficking victims. They will be provided with protection and compensation from the relevant agencies.