MoFA issues travel advisory for visitors to Myanmar and Thailand

Kathmandu / Dec/ 23: The government has issued a travel advisory for Nepali citizens planning to travel to Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos.

In its advisory, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Nepali nationals to refrain from traveling on visit visas for foreign employment purposes in these countries.It also advised verifying the legitimacy of business firms, companies, and employers through Nepal’s diplomatic missions in the respective nations or by checking their official websites.

The advisory follows reports of Nepalis being trafficked to Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, where they are coerced into illegal work after having their passports confiscated by employers. Many are forced to work up to 13 hours a day, subjected to torture, and experience wage theft.

The Ministry highlighted the growing number of Nepalis seeking assistance from Nepal’s embassies in Yangon and Bangkok for rescue operations. It cautioned citizens against being lured by promises of foreign employment or other temptations that lead to illegal activities.Furthermore, the Ministry warned against falling prey to offers related to online casinos, call center scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and suspicious IT job postings in Bangkok.