A probe is being conducted into the ownership of a land plot in Ranong that was rented to Myanmar migrants to build houses and which were then reportedly used to shelter illegal workers.
An initial investigation found the wife of an immigration official in Ranong province owned the land, a military officer attached to the 25th Infantry Regiment said yesterday.
Soldiers from the regiment recently searched two communities behind the Ranong immigration office in tambon Bang Rin of Muang district. However, no illegal workers were found.
The search took place following reports the communities were sheltering illegal workers before they were smuggled to other areas, said the officer, who declined to be named.
There were about 40 houses in the two communities which were located next to each other.
A source said officials were looking into the ownership of the land plot since anyone found to have provided shelter to illegal migrants would face legal action.
One Myanmar tenant said his family built a house on the plot and paid 300-500 baht a month in rent.
Mey, 34, another Myanmar tenant, said his family built a house in one of the two communities which cover about 6 rai. Each family paid 500 baht a month in rent to a woman identified only as "Jae Pha", he said.