Banteay Meanchey provincial authorities stopped more than 100 Cambodians from crossing into Thailand through a small border corridor without proper documentation. SUPPLIED
Banteay Meanchey provincial authorities stopped more than 100 Cambodians from crossing into Thailand through a small border corridor without proper documentation and instructed them against committing such acts – a move civil society groups view as an ineffective policy.
A National Police report said a group of 114 Cambodian migrant workers from 11 provinces – including 48 women and nine children – were set to illegally cross a corridor in Malai commune on Sunday.
Border police unit number 815, which is stationed in the district, intercepted them. The expedition was arranged by an intermediary, said the report.
Malai district police chief Ben Sam Ath told The Post on Tuesday that the border patrol cut off the group at a creek in the border corridor. The authorities detained and instructed them on the dangers facing those who secretly cross the border.
“On Sunday night, border security forces rounded up 114 people to be instructed and on Monday, April 29, we stopped another 20 people who had attempted to cross illegally.
“Crossing into Thailand illegally is risky and people will face a number of problems. They may be arrested by Thai soldiers or shot at, leading to mortal danger. They also risk being cheated by their intermediary. That’s why we put an end to their journey so that they can be educated,” Sam Ath said.
The group, he said, was released following the instruction, and that some of them had proper passports and could legally cross into Thailand.
Sam Ath said illegal crossing offences have seen a drop early this year compared to last year, though he could not provide data to back his claims.
The National Police report said the 114 detained on Sunday had come from Pursat, Kampot, Battambang, Prey Veng, Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Svay Rieng, Kampong Cham and Tbong Khmum provinces.
Sum Chankea, the Banteay Meanchey provincial coordinator for rights group Adhoc, said detention and instruction to deter migrants from illegally crossing the border was not an effective policy.
He said the measures were only able to prevent them the one time – they will continue to cross the border illegally.
“Stopping [Cambodian migrants who illegally cross borders] to educate them is not a lasting measure. People need to do business – make a living for sustenance. What does merely stopping them do to help? Something should be done so they can earn an income and make a decent living.
“Guarantee their health. Give them a good market – one comparative to those of our neighbouring countries, such as Vietnam. If there is nothing new, they will continue to migrate,” Chankea said.
