Malaysia’s efforts to bring home 31 citizens stranded at the Myanmar–Thailand border after falling prey to job scam syndicates are expected to take at least two weeks, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced.
He said the extended timeline is due to Thailand’s legal procedures — including detention, court mentions, fines and temporary holding requirements — which apply because the victims had entered the country illegally.
According to Mohamad, Malaysia’s Ambassador to Thailand, Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah, briefed him after embassy officers received updates from Tak Provincial Immigration and the Royal Thai Police.
The victims are currently under the custody of the Royal Thai Army at the second Friendship Bridge in Mae Sot.
“The documentation and screening process is still ongoing despite embassy officers being on site since early morning,” Mohamad said. He added that Mae Sot’s court can only handle 80 case mentions per day, while 274 Chinese nationals are also awaiting processing — further slowing progress.
Each victim is also required to pay a 4,000 baht (RM517) fine, though Malaysia is exploring options to shorten the detention and processing period.
Earlier this week, Thai authorities assisted in bringing 32 Malaysian trafficking victims — 31 men and one woman — safely into Thailand after the Malaysian Embassy sought humanitarian support. Embassy officers have since met the group and supplied food for the coming days. One of the victims, detained earlier, is being held at the Suan Phlu immigration centre pending deportation.
Meanwhile, the evacuation of another group of 21 Malaysians detained by Myanmar over employment scams is moving ahead. Mohamad said 20 are currently travelling by bus to Danok with embassy officers and are expected to arrive tomorrow, while one remains detained for further investigation.
