In a bid to try and stop human trafficking, Thailand has banned Lao teenagers below the age of 18 from entering the country alone.
The tough immigration stance comes after information released by the Lao Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare shows that since 2001, at least 2,217 Lao victims of human trafficking have been rescued from Thai facilities and repatriated.
Out of that number, between 75 and 80 percent were under 18 and 95 percent were female.
Bounkham Phoutthichak, head of the border checkpoint for Laos at the second Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge said Lao authorities had received an official letter from Thai immigration authorities in charge of checkpoints at the bridge, reported the Nation.
“We have already received a letter informing us about the move to the Administrative Office of Savannakhet province,” he said.
Photo: Nakhon100
