Influx of infected Thai border crossers raises alarm, but no sign of outbreak

Six more women infected with the coronavirus have entered the country illegally from Myanmar at the same border crossing as four others, making for 10 such crossings since Saturday.

Six new cases reported Wednesday that were detected in five provinces – Chiang Mai, Payao, Pichit, Ratchaburi and Bangkok – were all traced back to the same Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, crossing from the Tachileik district in Myanmar’s Shan state, according to Sophon Iamsirithavorn of the Communicable Diseases Division. 

All of the women, who are young and possibly work in the sex industry, evaded mandatory 14-day state quarantine through what appears to be a coordinated trafficking network.

Among the latest six arrivals was a 21-year-old woman who sneaked into Chiang Rai from Myanmar on Nov. 28 and flew the same day to Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport. She tested positive for COVID-19 at a…