In a significant humanitarian operation, 197 Indian nationals were repatriated from Mae Sot, Thailand to India today via two special Indian Air Force (IAF) flights. The operation was personally overseen by His Excellency Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand, who met with Mr. Nagesh Singh, India’s Ambassador to Thailand, at the airport.
Cooperation Between India and Thailand to Combat Transnational Crimes
The repatriated individuals were detained by Thai authorities after illegally crossing from Myawaddy, Myanmar into Thailand. They were allegedly involved in cyber scam-centers in Myanmar. Both India and Thailand reaffirmed their commitment to jointly combat transnational crimes including cyber scams and human trafficking, with enhanced inter-agency cooperation aimed at safeguarding citizens.
Advisory for Indian Nationals on Overseas Employment
The Indian Embassy in Bangkok and the Consulate in Chiang Mai coordinated with Thai agencies to facilitate the repatriation. Indian nationals are strongly advised to verify the authenticity of foreign employers and recruitment agents before accepting jobs abroad. Moreover, India’s visa-free entry into Thailand is explicitly for tourism and short business visits and must not be exploited for unauthorized employment.
