BANGKOK, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen job-seeking Cambodian nationals were arrested on an illegal entry charge in eastern Thailand on Saturday, an army officer said.
The Thai army's Ta Phraya Task Force arrested one group of five Cambodians, including three females and two males, after they had trekked through a natural path across the Thai-Cambodian border into Thai territory in Ta Phraya district of Sa Kaeo province, according to deputy task force commander Col. Thiradet Limkhunakul.
Meanwhile, the Ta Phraya Task Force stopped a pickup truck carrying another group of eight Cambodians, including five females and three males, on a road in Ta Phraya district early Saturday, Col. Thiradet said.
Also arrested alongside the Cambodians was the pickup truck driver, a Thai national, on a human trafficking charge.
The Cambodians, who are yet to be repatriated, had allegedly intended to find jobs in Bangkok, Nonthaburi province and Nakhon Nayok province, the colonel said.
Thai authorities have stepped up security measures along the border areas with neighboring countries to keep out illegal foreigners and prevent a possible cross-border spread of the coronavirus. Enditem
