The Security Bureau announced that a Hong Kong resident who had sought assistance from the Immigration Department returned to Hong Kong from Myanmar via Thailand today.

The individual concerned came back to the city with the assistance of Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Bangkok staff and relevant Thai authorities.

Upon arrival, the bureau’s dedicated task force provided assistance to that person and followed up with investigation on the case.

The bureau said it attaches great importance to cases where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work.

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung met Consul-General of Thailand in Hong Kong Chaturont Chaiyakam this morning and thanked the Thai government for sending high-level officials to meet the task force, demonstrating great importance to these cases and offering positive feedback.

The officials exchanged views on the cases and discussed follow-up work, with a view to assisting more assistance seekers in returning to Hong Kong safely as soon as possible.

Since 2024 to date, law enforcement agencies received a total of 28 requests for assistance in relation to Hong Kong residents alleging to be detained in Southeast Asian countries and unable to leave. Together with the individual who returned to Hong Kong today, 17 of them have already returned. The remaining 11 cases reported restrictions on their movement but were still safe and able to contact their families or the task force.