16-1-2025 (BANGKOK) A disturbing report has emerged revealing that 6 Japanese nationals are currently being held against their will in what has been described as a “criminal enterprise hub” in eastern Myanmar’s border region with Thailand.
The revelation comes from a comprehensive report released on 14 January by the Civil Society Network for Victim Assistance in Human Trafficking, a prominent Thai non-governmental organisation. According to their findings, the Japanese captives—five men and one woman—are among more than 6,000 individuals from 21 different nations currently held in the region.
Japanese authorities have responded swiftly to these allegations. Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated, “We are working closely with local authorities to verify these reports and will take appropriate action to protect our citizens.”
The scale of this criminal operation is staggering, with Chinese nationals comprising the majority of victims—approximately 3,900 people. Other captives hail from various nations, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
The trafficking operation follows a disturbing pattern. Victims are typically enticed through social media with fraudulent job opportunities in Thailand, only to be forcibly transported across the border into Myanmar. Once there, they face physical and psychological abuse, with criminal syndicates compelling them to participate in various fraudulent schemes. Their passports are typically confiscated, making rescue attempts particularly challenging.
A recent high-profile case involved a Chinese actor who was successfully rescued after being lured to Thailand for a supposed “photo shoot,” only to disappear across the border into Myanmar.
