RANTAU PANJANG: The authorities will increase their surveillance at jetties commonly used by Thai human trafficking syndicates following the recent attempt by 15 Myanmar nationals to enter Malaysia illegally from Songkhla.
General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the 15 were caught en route to Malaysia via Songkhla southern province last Thursday.
"I have instructed all GOF members involved in Op Taring Wawasan along the Kelantan-Thailand border to intensify their surveillance at jetties commonly used by syndicates to smuggle undocumented migrants into Malaysia.
"They need to keep tabs on these smuggling activities to prevent similar attempts."
He said GOF's operations would span from Pengkalan Kubor, Tumpat, to Kubang Pak Itam, Pasir Mas.
It was reported in Thai online Bangkok Post that 15 illegal migrants from Myanmar hoping to get jobs in Malaysia and a Thai driver were arrested in Rattaphum, Songkhla, on Thursday.
Officers from the Immigration Bureau and the Highway Police Division intercepted a van at a checkpoint in Tambon Khuha Tai.
A search found 12 men and three women, including a child, inside the vehicle. All were illegal migrants from Myanmar.
The van driver, identified only as Somsak, 55, was also arrested.
Earlier, investigators from the Songkhla Immigration obtained information that illegal migrants were being smuggled from Myanmar into Malaysia via the southern province.
During questioning, the driver said he was hired to transport the migrants from Surat Thani to Hat Yai and Na Thawi in Songkhla, where they would be picked up in exchange for 800 baht (RM103) per person.
The migrants told the arresting team that they entered Thailand through a natural border crossing in Tak province, paying job brokers about 80,400 baht (RM10,390) each for promises of employment in Malaysia.
All migrants and the Thai driver were taken to the Rattaphum police station and the van was seized.
Authorities said they would extend their investigation to arrest others involved in the smuggling activity.