Illegal Immigration to and through Thailand

The Thai police bureau commissioner reports that approximately 500,000 illegal aliens currently live in Thailand. Most are believed to be Burmese employed in fishing and agriculture. Rising Thai rubber production has led to an increase in illegal Burmese workers in Thailand. Employment Department Director-General Sinchai Riantrakul said 21,500 illegal aliens were arrested in Thailand in 1992 and 12,000 in 1993, while 750 have already been arrested in the first six months of this year.