Hundreds of Myanmar migrant workers protested at a pipe factory in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand, on Thursday morning, prompting police to crack down and arrest at least four Myanmar nationals.
Tensions ignited at the BIS Pipe Fitting Industry plant over dissatisfaction with a 12,000 baht (US$350) fee charged for work permits and visa renewals.
After Thai police and military were dispatched to the complex, authorities handcuffed and arrested four Myanmar workers, according to Khaing Gyi, chair of the Aid Alliance Committee, an organisation advocating for Myanmar migrant workers' rights in Thailand.
"Since protests are happening across Thailand, this is somewhat of an intimidation tactic to prevent others from protesting,” Khaing Gyi said. “It wasn't a major arrest operation. They just handcuffed them and took them away in cars.”
By 11am on Thursday, the protest continued outside the factory as officials from the Thai Ministry of. . .
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