CNI News

28 June 2024

There has been an increase in the number of Myanmar citizens who hold fake documents in the neighboring countries, those who assist in labor matters told CNI News. 

Although those who held fake documents could escape from arrests when they travel normally, because systematical checks were conducted when authorities arrested with an Operaci plan, they could be taken action against with two offences - illegal entrance and holding fake documents, Ko Thet, chairman of the Lovely Heart Philanthropic Youths Blood Donors Association, told CNI News.

If the places where authorities would come to arrest were known in advance, those who have held fake documents in those places should throw away their fake documents and be arrested, compatriots warned one another.

" when there are arrests, most Myanmar citizens announce through Facebook. We, philanthropic associations, also announce that. If the immigration officials come and arrest, throw fake documents away and be arrested. They might show these fake documents to the policemen around the places where they stay. Just a few Myanmar citizens were arrested with the offence of holding fake documents. Most of them were arrested with the offence of overstaying. As an overstayer, if you have held a false card, you can be arrested with two offences." he said.

Among those who have held fake documents, some have held them on purpose and others are holding them because they were cheated that fake documents were genuine reportedly.

While the Thai authorities have detained undocumented foreigners

When visa stamp numbers on the passports of six Myanmar people who tried to enter Malaysia illegally were checked with computer technology a few days ago, they were found to be imitation and they were arrested by the immigration officers in Narathiwat District, Thailand.

Although there were people who sneaked in, holding fake documents since before, now there has been an increase in the number of people who have held fake documents, said the people who help in the labor issues in Thailand.

If one illegally entered, he would be punished for one offence, and if he held fake documents, he would be punished for two offences, Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the  Arakan Workers Organization, told CNI News.

“There are people who have been in jail with possession of fake passport books, when you get the passport, you hve to think whether you went to the offices of the government in person or not. One entered illegally and then when he was checked, if he was found to have held fake documents, he will be punished for two offences. There are fine and imprisonment. If you were arrested with fake documents, you probably will be imprisoned." he said.

Although there has been a sharp increase in the number of people who illegally enter Thailand, there are just a few arrests reportedly. However, the people who sneaked into Malaysia through Thailand are arrested more reportedly.