111 Thai nationals, previously stranded amid conflict in northern Shan State, Myanmar, have safely returned to Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai province. The Myanmar authorities facilitated the repatriation on December 15, with Col Thura Zaw Lwin Soe, the tactical operations commander for Tachileik, overseeing the handover to Thai officials at the border.
Col Nathee Timsen, commander of the Thap Chao Tak Task Force of the Pha Muang Force and Thai chairman of the Thailand-Myanmar Township Border Committee, welcomed the returnees and other officials. This group was the fourth group of Thais repatriated from Myanmar overland, bringing the total to 179.
Upon arrival, the returnees underwent disease screening and immigration procedures. Ten individuals, eight men and two women, with outstanding arrest warrants, were taken into custody by Mae Sai police.
The remaining returnees were transported to temporary shelters, with men accommodated at the territorial defense volunteer company headquarters and women at the New Life Center Foundation in Chiang Rai’s capital district. (NNT)
