BANGKOK, THAILAND - Thailand authorities arrested 53 Rohingya migrants and two alleged Thai human traffickers on Saturday at Thailand's coastal province of Phang Nga for illegal entry and human trafficking.

The Rohingya migrants and their alleged traffickers were en route to Malaysia when they were arrested by Thai authorities in the rubber plantation of Takua Pa, Phang Nga.

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Thai District Chief Manit Phianthong said that Thai authorities received a tip from one of its informants that a syndicate, which is involved in human trafficking in Thailand, would be ferrying Rohingya migrants to Malaysia.

"We are still looking for the real masterminds," said Phianthong.  He also added that around twelve Rohingya people were able to escape during the said raid.

During the arrest, one of the apprehended Thai traffickers reportedly claimed that he is involved and a part of a bigger syndicate that involves trafficking of people especially that of the Rohingyan minorities.  

Meanwhile, Rohingyans are said to be susceptible to human trafficking as most of them keep on seeking places to settle. In a report by the United Nations, the Rohingyans are said to be the world's most mistreated minorities. They escaped Rakhine due to communal unrest.

The Rohingyans are said to have been subject of many denials of entry in some countries and are victims of force labor.

Accordingly, there are 800,000 Rohingyans who are illegally staying in Malaysia.

Because of the seemingly maltreatment and discrimination against this minority group, many human rights advocates criticized some people who are taking advantage of the situation. They claimed that there are many human trafficking syndicates which are victimizing innocent Rohingyans, promising them for good and safe place to settle in.

In Thailand, authorities investigated last year on allegations that some of its military officials were involved in human trafficking of Rohingyans. 

TagsThailand, Rohingyan, Human Trafficking, Malaysia