Arakan News Agency
The Royal Thai Navy concludes its first round of search-and-rescue operations for Rohingya refugees stranded in the Andaman Sea.…
The Thai government dispatched seven Navy ships, two airplanes, and two helicopters on May 29 to patrol the sea for migrant boats, in efforts to help thousands of migrants stranded at sea.
The Royal Thai Navy spokesperson Captain Benjamaporn Wongakornsawang told Channel NewsAsia that the government’s overall mission has remained unchanged despite the start of the monsoon season.
Thai navy ships will continue the search-and-rescue operations for stranded migrants, Bejamaporn said, adding that each round of operations usually last 15 days. The navy will discuss with the government next week to assess the situation.
Meanwhile Thai police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang said that the police should be able to conclude its investigation into human trafficking gangs and send a report of their findings to the Office of the Attorney General by the end of June.
Thai authorities have issued arrest warrants for 89 human trafficking suspects since Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha ordered a crackdown in May.
Fifty-three suspects have been apprehended and over 109 million baht (US$323,000) in assets connected to these suspects have been confiscated.
The Thai government blames human trafficking for the arrival of Rohingya migrants in Thailand over the years.
The crackdown on human trafficking rings led to a surge in the number of boats and refugees arriving or transiting through Thailand.
Source : Channel NewsAsia
