Thailand to repatriate alien beggars

BANGKOK, October 20 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, will repatriate 137 alien beggars who were rounded up over the past week. New Social Development and Human Security Minister Police General Adul Sangsingkeo told journalists on Monday that 217 beggars were rounded up from October 14-20, 2014, including 137 aliens, most of whom are Cambodians and one is Chinese. Police General Adul, who is a former national police chief, acknowledged that the beggars, including 52 children and 80 Thais, were possibly involved in human trafficking and all the aliens will be repatriated. The minister said that all the alien beggars have already been sent to the immigration police, while 80 Thai beggars have been sent to shelters in Bangkok's neighbouring Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani Provinces. According to the minister, he will urgently discuss solutions with the police and other concerned agencies to prevent illegal entry into Thailand of both old and new beggars who are possibly involved in human trafficking. (TNA)