Thailand to deport more than 600 migrant workers to Burma

28/08/2006 21:18:54

Immigration officials in Thailand say more than 600 migrant workers from Burma arrested while attending a traditional celebration near Bangkok are to be deported.

Police says they arrested 674 Karen, a Burmese ethnic minority, and other Burmese after 10,000 people gathered at the sports ground of the Royal Police Cadet Academy.

While 67 of the workers have been released, the rest have been referred to the Immigration Bureau for deportation.

Human rights advocates fear the ethnic Karen refugees will face persecution if they are sent back to Burma, as thousands have fled the country because of fighting between government troops and Karen rebels.

Produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation