BANGKOK — Nearly 200 Indian nationals were flown back to India on Monday from Thailand’s Mae Sot region, where they had been detained after allegedly working in cyber scam centers across the border in Myanmar, the Indian Embassy in Thailand said.
According to the Embassy, 197 Indian nationals were repatriated on two special Indian Air Force flights. They had reportedly entered Thailand illegally from Myanmar’s Myawaddy area, where authorities say scam networks have been operating and recruiting foreign workers.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Mae Sot to oversee the repatriation process. At the airport, he met with India’s Ambassador to Thailand, Nagesh Singh, and conveyed appreciation for India’s swift coordination in returning the detainees. He also assured continued cooperation in efforts to safely repatriate more Indian nationals released from scam centers in Myanmar.
In a statement shared on X, the Indian Embassy said both countries reaffirmed their commitment to work together against transnational crimes, including cyber fraud and human trafficking. The individuals repatriated on Monday had been detained for violating Thai immigration laws after crossing the border without authorization.
The Embassy urged Indian citizens to verify job offers abroad, check the backgrounds of recruiters, and avoid using visa-free entry to Thailand for employment. The visa exemption for Indian travelers is intended for tourism and short business visits only.
The Embassy of India in Bangkok and the Consulate in Chiang Mai coordinated the repatriation with multiple Thai agencies, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of Indian nationals facing distress overseas.
On November 7, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that 270 Indians had been flown back from Mae Sot in a similar operation. He cautioned Indian citizens to avoid job networks operating in Myanmar’s border regions, noting reports of physical abuse and exploitation.
Authorities said additional Indian nationals still remain in Thailand awaiting clearance to return, and more repatriation flights are expected in the coming days. (Source: IANS)
