Cambodia deports Thais; Thailand detains dozens of Cambodians for illegal entry

Cambodia deported 162 Thai nationals back to Thailand today, after they were released from a prison in the city of Siem Reap.

All the Thai returnees were sent across the border through the immigration checkpoint in Ban Laem of Chanthaburi province. They were carefully screened by

Thai immigration officers before they were allowed to return home.

Police said that six of the returnees have arrest warrants outstanding against them, adding that they will be held in custody for questioning.

Meanwhile, the Thai Navy reports that Thai Marines and Chanthaburi provincial police arrested 67 Cambodians at dawn today, as they tried to sneak across the border in Pong Namron district to find work in Thailand.

A Thai soldier distributes water to Cambodian nationals who were arrested in Chanthaburi province for allegedly entering Thailand today.

Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaipan, the spokesman for the RTN, said that all the Cambodians, including 35 men, 25 women and seven children, appeared to be malnourished and were given food, drinking water and basic medical treatment.

The Cambodians reportedly told Thai authorities that they intended to find work in Thailand, because there are no jobs for them in Cambodia.

They have, however, been charged with illegal entry and will be deported back to Cambodia in due course.