Cambodia has repatriated the first group of 162 Thais through the Ban Laem border checkpoint in Chanthaburi province. It is expected that arrangements are underway for a second round to return about 75 more Thais.
On 3 Jan 2025 GMT+7 at Ban Laem border checkpoint, Thepnimit subdistrict, Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi province, Pol. Lt. Gen. Chatchai Pitanirabutr, Deputy Commissioner of Police, traveled to receive Thais who had been working in Cambodia. Military, police, social development and human security officials, and immigration officers joined in receiving and screening them after coordination from Cambodian authorities to hand over 162 Thais that day.
At 10:30 a.m. the same day, Cambodia sent 162 Thais. Initial checks found 92 had illegally entered or exited without immigration clearance, and 6 had outstanding arrest warrants for various charges, including complicity in murder. The rest were quarantined at the Pong Nam Ron District Volunteer Defense Battalion for screening related to offenses, as all were linked to scammer jobs. If found involved in fraud causing victims, legal action will follow.
Additionally, reporters noted that Cambodia is coordinating a second repatriation of about 75 Thais. There is also a request via media for 4 more detained by Cambodian immigration in Sihanoukville province. Pol. Lt. Gen. Chatchai Pitanirabutr has instructed relevant agencies to verify and coordinate to receive these Thais back to the country.