Immigration police
believe sixty-four Sri Lankans were victims of human trafficking.
Boonlua Chatree
Sixty-four Sri Lankans suspected of being trafficked with help
of Thais to a third country were captured while waiting for transport in
Pattaya.
Chonburi Immigration Police raided the Bai-Yok Resort Dec. 19 following
a call from a Rong Poh resident asking for investigation of a large
number of foreign visitors to the neighborhood. None of those taken into
custody were believed to be the traffickers.
A local resident said a Thai woman had been seen checking in on the Sri
Lankans and had been responsible for finding them temporary quarters
before being shipped out via Laem Chabang Port to another country. About
100 Sri Lankans are believed to have already been moved.
None of the 64 Sri Lankans would divulge any information on their
handlers. All had proper tourist visas, but immigration officials seized
the passports and visas as they prepared the suspected human-trafficking
victims for repatriation.
