Songkhla, Thailand (BBN)-The authorities in southern Thailand have so far detained 117 Rohingyas and Bangladeshis following operations to crack down on human trafficking.
The foreigners comprising 110 men and seven women were now placed under the protection of the Thai authorities in the district of Rattapum, Songkla, reports Free Malaysia Today.
Police are investigating their identities and whether they were victims of human trafficking or illegal immigrants.
Most of them were Bangladeshis heading to Malaysia but were abandoned by their middlemen and they had to hide and walk for 10 days in Khao Keaw Hills near the northern Malaysian border.
Police believe there were others who may have lost their way and were hiding in the forest at the Malaysian-Thai border.
The authorities also arrested several individuals as well as government officers suspected of being involved in the activities and several police and immigration officers were transferred from the southern border area.
On Saturday, a tour operator at Lipek Island in Satun Province, Somyod Chotipan surrendered himself after a warrant of arrest was issued against him.
Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Ak Angsananont said Somyod was accused of abetting Rohingya and Bangladeshi human traffickers.
Thailand has proposed a meeting with Malaysia and Myanmar this month to address the matter because Rohingyas who fell into the hands of human traffickers were from Myanmar and they were actually heading to Malaysia.