A large number of foreigners entered Myanmar illegally through the border crossings, including Thailand and other neighbouring countries, and engaged in online scams, online gambling, and other criminal activities in areas of Maehtawthalay, KK Park in Myawady Township, Kayin State. They were arrested and are being transferred systematically to their respective countries in accordance with the law and procedures.

Currently, the government and Tatmadaw continue combating both local and foreign criminals involved in various illegal activities, including unlawful online gambling, which hinders the development of the country, and demolition is being conducted on buildings inside KK Park, where those criminals had been living and operating.

The following are the interviews of those involved in online scams and gambling operations based in KK Park, and are now being repatriated to their respective countries in accordance with the law and procedures.

Gladys Muthoni (Kenya)

A friend contacted me through Telegram and Facebook, saying there was a computer-related job in Thailand. So, I flew from Kenya to Ethiopia, then from there to Bangkok of Thailand. From Bangkok, I came alone by car to Myanmar and arrived at KK Park. I didn’t know it was an online scam job. I thought it was a normal computer-related job. Only after I arrived there, I had to work on an online scam operation. I had to work about 18 hours a day. Now, I’ve been told that we will be sent back to our home countries through our embassies.

Mary Jane a Vicente (Filipino)

I came from the Philippines to Thailand by flight. To reach from Thailand to Myanmar, I had to cross a mountain. A Chinese man brought 27 of us in three cars. We crossed a river at night from the Thai side and arrived at KK Park. I was told I would work as an HR position with a high salary. I didn’t know it was an online scam job. They never mentioned Myanmar to work, but they said I had to work in Thailand. But I arrived in Myanmar. I didn’t have an idea to work in Myanmar. I didn’t come to Myanmar but to Thailand.

Here, although they said I was hired for HR, I actually did online scam work, about 12 hours a day. They contacted me through Telegram. Sometimes, when we didn’t meet the daily targets, they punished us. I even saw my friends being punished. Inside KK Park, there were buildings numbered 1 to 6, and I estimate around a thousand Filipinos were working there.

At the holding centre, the Myanmar government is providing food, medicine, and all necessities. What I knew was that we would be repatriated within two weeks through our embassy. I really want to return home as quickly as possible.

Benson Koech (Kenya)

I was working in Dubai and came to Bangkok for a visit. Through a Telegram account, a company contacted me, offering a job. I was interested in it and decided to work in Bangkok. Then, they asked me if I wanted to work at a place that was about eight hours away from Bangkok. They came to pick me up in luxury cars, so I followed them — but I ended up here. I asked my friends about the job, whether it was good or not. They said it was a good job and the salary was high, and proper chances were awaiting. Therefore, I came here. When I arrived here, I refused to work, but I had no choice. Even though I arrived in KK Park, I just thought I was in Bangkok. Here, I couldn’t go anywhere. They trained us for a month on how to do the job, gave us four phones, and instructed us to send thousands of messages daily. When the other side sent a message such as hi or how are you, the senior taught us how to reply. When I arrived here, I came to know KK Park, which I hadn’t heard of before. We followed Beijing time, working from 9 am until 2 am If we didn’t respond fast enough, we were punished, sometimes even denied food for two or three days or forced to sleep elsewhere.

Now, I am OK at the detention centre of Myanmar, and conditions are much better than at KK Park. When I was in KK Park, I told my manager that I wanted to return, but they didn’t accept. I’m happy and grateful to the government for the good food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, water, and facilities.

About 80 per cent of us came through Thailand, most from African countries. In the past five months, fewer people have come through Thai visas. When I first came, my trip took about 18 hours. The injuries on my body are from electric shocks used as punishment. I also saw people being hit on the head with tables. When severe punishment was to be given, they took people into offices to beat them.

At KK Park, we were only allowed to use phones for one hour under strict supervision and no passwords were allowed. They monitored all data and only allowed us to contact one or two family members. Anyone asking for help from the authority was threatened with death. We were initially paid 30,000 baht, but later received nothing except for food. If we were late for work, we were fined. Our families of all Africans believed we were working in Bangkok or China, because we were not allowed to tell them that we were working in KK park.

Mumtaz Tahir Khan (Pakistan)

I knew about this job online. I arrived in Bangkok through a certain contact, and when I got there, I drank some juice. When I woke up, I was in a jungle area guarded by three armed men holding swords and pistols. They told me I was now in KK Park. Two Chinese women brought me to an office. I hadn’t seen these Chinese people, and I didn’t even know. They offered a job with 15,000 baht for the first three months. But I never received a single payment. I had no choice and I had to stay there. I thanked the Myanmar government for rescuing me. I stayed there for five months. I had to work in message-sending operations. There was 1 to 5 KK Park. I tried to escape, but I failed. My wife and brother were also working there. Therefore, I needed much support. As I wanted to escape, I left everything when I came here. I also thank all who provided me with the needed support at the detention centre. I hope I can return after contacting with embassy. Before I came here, I worked in real estate in my country. I came to Bangkok because someone offered a high-paid job. I thought it would be a legal typing job like in India, but only after arriving did I realize it was a scam operation. I worked from 8 am to 2 pm. I had only a 30-minute lunch break. Then, I had to work from 5 pm to 4 am, and I worked 17-18 hours a day. Now, I’m safe at the detention centre, and I sincerely thank the government for their help and coordination with embassies. I only wish to return home as quickly as possible.

Zhang Hao Nan (Chinese)

I came from China, not knowing what company I would work for. I was cheated and didn’t know what kind of job I would have to do. I didn’t come for an online issue. I arrived here recently, about for only two months. I haven’t worked yet. My friend called me to work in Thailand. From Thailand, I arrived here. I was told to take the debts in Thailand, and so I arrived in Thailand. They lied to me to take the money. When I arrived in Thailand, strangers took me. Five people took me in a car and I arrived in KK Park.

I came through Thailand and then arrived here. I’ve been here for only about two months and haven’t worked yet. I was told I would collect some debt in Thailand, but I was tricked and brought here by five men in a car.

Bong Bong (Chinese)

I arrived in Thailand from Guangdong. Then, I was forced into a car and beaten when I resisted. At KK Park, I did not work, so they locked me in a room and beat me. I only realized I was in Myanmar after arriving in KK Park. For five months, I was detained and given just one meal per day. Now, I’m safe thanks to the Myanmar government, but I want to go back home. I’m still waiting as my side (officials) haven’t come to take me yet.

Xu You qiqng (Chinese)

I left China and came to Thailand through illegal routes. I didn’t know I was entering Myanmar from Thailand. I’ve been at KK Park for just over two months. Since I didn’t know how to work, they locked me in a small room. I was allowed to contact my family once a day, and I had to say everything was fine. I met someone named Phyo Phyo online, who told me there were logistics jobs involving cargo loading and unloading. Now, I’m safe under the care of the Myanmar authorities, who are keeping us secure. I only hope for a quick process as I want to return home soon.

Aung Gyaing/KTZH

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