Tamil migrants arrested in Thailand

Authorities say more than 150 people were in Bangkok illegally while awaiting transport to another country.

Police in Thailand may have done Canadian immigration officials a huge favour yesterday when they raided dozens of apartments in Bangkok and arrested 155 migrants believed to be en route to a third country. Many of those arrested are reportedly Tamil. Ever since 492 Tamil refugee claimants arrived in B.C. on board a cargo ship in August, the Canadian government has been seeking ways to deter seaborne migrants. In September Immigration Minister Jason Kenney traveled to Asia to promote better cooperation between Canadian and Asian authorities on immigration issues, and the strategy appears to have worked. Thai authorities say those arrested were in the country on expired two-week tourist visas.