Fifty-four Burmese migrants were found dead after suffocating in a lorry that was smuggling them into southern Thailand, the BBC reported on April 10. The lorry was reportedly bound for Phuket.
The report says that over a 100 people were packed into a container measuring 6m by 2m. Many among the survivors were seriously ill, reportedly from dehydration and lack of oxygen.

The Burmese had, according to police reports, crossed by boat to the Thai town of Ranong from Burma's southern tip at Victoria Point. This route has been often used for trafficking illegal Burmese immigrants into Thailand.

Every year, thousands of Burmese find legal and illegal means of moving to Thailand, in the hope of better wages and standards of living.

While humanitarian watchdogs on Phuket say Burmese live here as secondary citizens, with limitations on rights like the use of mobile phones and leaving their accommodations--Burmese labourers are not allowed to leave their homes after 8 pm--the Burmese themselves think it's a far better deal than they can ever hope to have back home.

In an earlier interview with the Post in February 2008, a Burmese immigrant who works at a restaurant on Phuket had said: "My family is very poor. I heard about Phuket from a friend from the same village, back home. He works here, and I saw he can send big money to his family. So I was determined to come to Phuket. We took a truck from my village and we drove in through Ranong, after crossing the river. We had to be careful of Thai soldiers and policemen.

"Only the lucky amongst us get into Thailand," he continued fervently. "In Thailand there are so many things we do not have back home...T.V.s, jobs...and we can help our families. I came to Thailand to work. I never make problems for Thai people. I am very scared an respectful of Thai laws. I don't want the police to arrest me and send me back to Burma.

"Now I am a registered worker with the employment office," he had added proudly. "I'm so happy I can work in Thailand."