Thailand police rescue 59 Rohingya refugees abandoned on southern island

Thailand had rescued 59 Rohingya refugees, including children, from an island who had been abandoned people smugglers on an island close to the Malaysian border, police said on Sunday.
The Rohingya – 31 men, 23 women, and five children – were found on Dong island in Satun province, which borders Malaysia, assant national police chief Surachate Hakparn said in a statement.
“The boat driver told them they had arrived in Malaysia and left them on the island a few days ago before being found,” he said. The island is a tour destination but not populated.
Thailand has provided humanitarian assance to the refugees, who have been detained for further questioning and will be prosecuted for entering Thailand illegally, Surachate added.Best of Express PremiumPremiumPremiumPremiumPremium