a day ago
Deported Cambodian blacklisted as ‘national security threat'
A Cambodian woman who previously worked in Thailand has been placed on a blacklist by Thai authorities, permanently barring her from re-entering the neighbouring Kingdom in the future. - Photo: The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
PHNOM PENH: A Cambodian woman who previously worked in Thailand has been placed on a blacklist by Thai authorities, permanently barring her from re-entering the neighbouring Kingdom in the future.
She was previously detained for two nights by Thai authorities on charges of illegally entering the country and begging.
According to Thailand's The Nation media outlet, the woman, Wan Naree, who has a disabled left arm, had been begging in Thailand.
On Wednesday (June 25), she and several others protested at their inability to return to Cambodia because of the closure of the Khlong Luek border checkpoint, opposite the Poipet checkpoint in Banteay Meanchey province.
The media reported that she shouted at Thai immigration officials and demanded that they open the checkpoint and let return to Cambodia.
At that point, she was arrested, then charged with illegally entering the country and engaging in begging activities.
She was detained for two nights, convicted by a court, fined and ordered to be deported.
'She has also been placed on Thailand's immigration blacklist as a 'threat to national security', meaning she is permanently barred from re-entering the Kingdom,' said The Nation.
On June 27, she and several others were transported back to Cambodia. She stated that she would not return to Thailand.
According to a post on the Facebook page of Prime Minister Hun Manet, the Banteay Meanchey provincial administration, local authorities, and the Cambodian Consulate General in Sa Kaeo province worked diligently to negotiate with Thai authorities, resulting in the release of two women, including Wan Naree, and allowing them to return to Cambodia. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
