Thailand confirms kidnapping and detention of Moroccans, among others

Thai authorities are investigating reports of young Moroccans being kidnapped and forced into cybercrime along the Thailand-Myanmar border.

Following media reports, the Thai Embassy in Rabat responded, acknowledging information from the Moroccan embassy in Bangkok.

Thailand claims to have received prior reports (February) about the potential trafficking of two Moroccans in Myanmar, alongside six others who may have been detained previously.

The Thai Embassy suggests these individuals might be victims of international criminal networks involving Chinese, Malaysian, and Russian groups, potentially linked to human trafficking.

They emphasize similar cases involving citizens from various African countries.

Thai authorities are still verifying details and locations, but current information suggests Thailand may be a transit point for these networks.

The Thai government has asked Thai embassies in Africa to strengthen visa authorization to reduce the risk of African nationals becoming victims of these criminal activities, said the letter.

The Thai Embassy in Rabat clarifief that it “wishes to reiterate that the Thai government is willing and ready to cooperate with the governments of all countries whose citizens have been lured or detained by these international criminal networks , and that it works closely with the relevant government agencies of the countries concerned.

The Royal Thai Government also recommended its Moroccan counterpart to contact the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which provides assistance to victims of human trafficking and migrants when conditions are met.