Govt dedicated task force arrives Thailand to follow up residents detained for illegal work cases

The specialized task force established by the Security Bureau has arrived in Thailand to investigate cases involving Hong Kong residents who are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained for engaging in illicit work activities.

The task force, led by Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip and comprised of eight members from the Police Force and the Immigration Department, arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok at around 10.35 pm last night.

They will meet with officials from the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, representatives of the Ministry of Justice of Thailand sitting on the Anti Trafficking-in-Persons Committee chaired by the Prime Minister of Thailand, as well as the authorities of Thailand to reflect the relevant assistance cases.

The task force will also exchange intelligence and request the relevant authorities to assist as much as possible in rescuing those assistance seekers.

Authorities received 28 requests for assistance in relation to Hong Kong residents alleging to be detained in Southeast Asian countries and unable to leave.

Among them, 16 have already returned to Hong Kong. The remaining 12 cases reported restrictions on their movement but were still safe and able to contact their families or the task force.