Escaping Myanmar Scam Parks but Chased Away by Thai Army: 33 Malaysians Await Government Rescue

33 Malaysians who escaped from scam parks in Myanmar now have nowhere to go. Some tried to cross the river into Thailand, but were allegedly driven back to the Myanmar side by Thai border troops and have been sleeping rough at the border for nine days. Now, all they can do is look across at Thailand, longing from the shore, as they await rescue from the Malaysian government!

Dato Hisham, Secretary-General of the Malaysian Humanitarian Organization (MHO), said that the victims were originally held in a telecom scam center locally known as the “Shunda Park.” After an outbreak of military conflict on the 26th of last month, an armed organization launched a crackdown on the center, which led to a firefight and caused the park’s occupants to flee. Some Malaysian victims were forced to escape the country to save their lives.

On Friday, he accompanied the father-in-law of one of the victims at a press conference, explaining that the victims had been compelled to head to the Myawaddy region at the Thai-Myanmar border, attempting to cross the river into Thailand for asylum. However, Thai border troops reportedly fired warning shots and drove them away, forcing them to return to the Myanmar side to continue hiding.

He also showed videos at the press conference of the victims gathering locally but failing to cross the river.

He said that according to their information, there are still 33 Malaysians trapped there, including 12 (aged 25 to 42) who have openly sought help via their families and an MHO press conference.

He said he did not understand why the Thai military refused them entry, emphasizing that these trapped victims have already been driven out of their original park and are now stranded near the riverbank. They continue to hear explosions and are lacking food, medicine, and security.

He revealed that earlier, some Malaysian victims attempted to enter Thailand but failed; some were injured by military attacks during this process.

“They entered Myanmar via Thailand, and now, seeking to return to Thailand, the Thai side should offer assistance on humanitarian grounds, not drive them away.

Hisham said that MHO had written to the Malaysian Embassy in Thailand on November 27 seeking help, and had even dispatched representatives to relevant authorities in Mae Sot, but has yet to receive a clear response.

He believes that even if politics are involved, human lives should not be disregarded. The organization is urging authorities to do whatever it takes to bring the 33 Malaysians safely home.

Father-in-law: Worried Son-in-law May Be Beaten Again   Now Calling Heaven and Earth but No Answer

The victim’s father-in-law fears his son-in-law will be beaten again, saying his current situation is like “calling on heaven and earth but receiving no answer!”

This Mr. Yang, the father-in-law, said at the press conference that his son-in-law, aged over thirty, was lured by a scam syndicate a year ago to work there and was then detained. When the scam park’s bosses were recently arrested and the park dismantled, his son-in-law escaped to the riverside during the chaos and is now waiting for rescue.

He described his son-in-law as having very little to eat and drink, relying solely on the meager assistance of local kind-hearted people. It is hot during the day and cold at night, and he has only a canvas to keep himself alive.

He added that his son-in-law is a vegetarian, making survival even harder with almost no resources.

He further said, at this stage, calling heaven and earth for help gets no response; Thai soldiers tell them to leave but are unwilling to assist.

He is also worried that after his daughter held a press conference on behalf of the family last year, his son-in-law was beaten in retaliation; with the incident being made public again, he fears his son-in-law will be targeted again.

"We do not understand why the Malaysian government has not acted so far? If he were still detained, we would be helpless, but now they are at the border waiting for rescue—why is there no response? We really feel helpless."