ENTERING Myanmar illegally via border routes in Thailand and other neighbouring countries, some foreign nationals committed online gambling, online fraud and other crimes in the Myawady–Shwe Kokko area of Kayin State. A total of 45 foreign nationals – 17 Ethiopians, 16 Ugandans, 11 Filipinos, and one Malagasy – were transferred back to their respective countries via the Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Bridge II, in accordance with legal procedures, in consideration of humanitarian support and mutual goodwill between the countries.
To ensure that the transfer operations were conducted in an orderly, efficient and smooth manner, members of the Myawady District Administration and Management Committee, Lt-Col San Shwe and other responsible officials met with the relevant departments and reviewed the lists and data to ensure accuracy and completeness, coordinating and making necessary arrangements.
The handover ceremony was then held, attended by Head of Myawady District Immigration and Population Office Deputy Director U Kyaw Kyaw Than and responsible officials, Police Colonel Mr Neftaly Adia Donato from the Office of the Police Attaché of the Philippines, representative of the Madagascan Embassy Ms Kritiya Jantanamalaka, representative of Ethiopian and Ugandan embassies Mr Tana Judah Hira, and responsible personnel from Tak Province Immigration Office of Thailand. Myanmar officials formally handed over the relevant documents and evidence related to the transfer to the representatives of the respective countries.
From 30 January 2025 to 19 January 2026, a total of 14,151 foreign nationals who entered Myawaddy Township illegally were reportedly detained. All of them were investigated, and 12,152 of them were transferred systematically to their respective countries via Thailand in accordance with legal procedures. The remaining 1,999 foreign nationals are ready to be transferred to their countries, and they are being properly detained and cared for.
The government of Myanmar is actively cooperating with neighbouring and regional countries, as well as international organizations, in order to identify, arrest and take strong action against those involved in online scam centres and the foreign nationals who are controlling them. At the same time, it is also coordinating effectively to ensure that foreign nationals who are suffering for various reasons and those who have been trafficked are transferred to their respective countries as soon as possible. — MNA/MKKS
