Malaysian Police Ask For Permission To Remove Rohingya Remains Via Thai Territory

SONGKHLA (Thailand), May 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysian police have sought the permission of the Thai authorities to use the route in Thailand to bring out the remains of human trafficking victims found in a forest area near the border. Both sides agreed to cooperate and the Thai side wanted to refer the matter to its higher authorities, said 9th Division Police chief, Pol. Gen. Monteree Potranant. A Malaysian police team from northermost state of Perlis held a two-hour meeting with the Thai side which was represented by the police, army and district office at the Sadao police station in Songkhla. Meanwhile, Chakrit Longsamat, 53, former mayor of Mukim Tamalang, Satun, surrendered to police at the Padang Besar police station in Sadao, Wednesday. This followed the issuance of an arrest warrant against him for alleged human trafficking. Thailand's 9th Division Police spokesman, Pol. Maj. Gen. Puttichat Akkachan said 77 arrest warrants were issued, with 49 people arrested or they surendered, while 28 others were still at large. He said the Prevention of Money Laundering Office seized assets totalling US$2.49 billion (84.5 million baht). Of the amount, US$1.87 million (63.5 million baht) was seized in Ranong province and US$621,100 (21 million baht) seized from the Nai Pajuban Angchotipan group in Satun province. Thai police will bring human trafficking victims comprising Rohingyas to the camp at Bukit Khao Keaw in Mukim Padang Besar, Sadao district, Songkhla, soon. This was where the first graves of Rohingya migrants were discovered which triggered a crackdown on human traffickers by the Thai authorities in southern Thailand. The investigation into human trafficking cases is expected to be completed by June 20. --BERNAMA