Local authorities in Phuket, southern Thailand are allegedly arresting and extorting money from Burmese migrant workers, although they posses legal documents.

Among those arrested in Phuket, some have temporary passports and registered labour cards.

"When I asked them why they were arresting me, even though I have legal documents they said that they wanted to," a migrant worker said.

“They took me to a quiet corner and carried out a body search. Then they asked me to pay 2000 Baht and threatened me that if I don't pay up, they will produce me in court. Then they forced me to sign a paper. Finally, I paid 2000 Baht and they returned my document," he added.

The workers were arrested when they were going to the immigration office after 90 days in connection with their temporary passport and working visa, another Burmese worker said.

"Two people were arrested like me. They were women who had temporary passports. When I asked them why they were arrested, the two women said they did not know. Local officials took 2000 Baht each, leaving the women in tears. They were arrested in Phuket on 15 September," he added.

Burmese workers are being arrested in Phuket since early this month. Even though these workers have temporary passports, they cannot move around freely.

"A couple was arrested on our road. When the police asked them to show their documents, they showed their passport. They are not working in Phuket and their passports mentioned another place. I think they were visiting Phuket. They had to pay 15,000 Baht. Thai authorities had said that if we have a passport, we can go wherever we want. But, it doesn't seem to work," a worker in a market said.

"I work in a market and I saw some workers being stopped and asked for documents by officials at the bus stop. This is happening in Phuket more than other cities," he added.

Such things happen in these areas because Thai authorities lack knowledge about laws and regulations and they used to extort money from Burmese workers in the past. But they cannot arrest workers, who have legal documents or temporary passports, Ko Thet Khaing, in-charge of the labour department of the NCGUB, said.

Ko Thet Khaing urged workers to be brave if they have legal documents. They need to record the numbers on the license plates of vehicles and motorcycle of the police and inform the labour organizations, which work for Burmese migrants. He also urged them not to sign any papers.

Since 2 June 2010, the Thai Prime Minister has ordered the arrest of migrants who fail to make work permits or extend their passport.

Of over two million Burmese migrants working in Thailand, half are working illegally. It's learnt that the Thai authorities will issue labour cards for these migrant workers.