North Korean defectors arrested in Thailand for illegal entry

Bangkok - Thai police on Saturday arrested a group of seven North Korean defectors, including a one-year-old boy, for illegal entry, an official said.

The baby and the six North Koreans, all women in their 30s and 60s, were found in a small bus intercepted by police in Chiang Rai, some 790 kilometres (490 miles) north of the Thai capital, the official said.

None of the women carried passports or any travel documents, police captain Arthit Riewsiriphong said, adding that they told police through a South Korean translator they were from North Korea.

"They were seeking resettlement in South Korea. Eventually, they will be deported to a third country later," Arthit said, adding the intercepted bus was heading to Bangkok.

Chronic food and energy shortages have driven a growing number of North Koreans from their impoverished homeland, and many of them have been arriving at Thailand's northern border after crossing through China and Laos.

The number of North Koreans arrested for illegal entry into Thailand this year surged to more than 400 from 50 last year.

Agence France Presse