Burmese migrant workers in Thailand marked the 119th May Day today in Mae Sot on the Thai border town. The celebration was attended by Burmese migrant workers from all over Mae Sot, a source said.

A Burmese migrant worker in Chiang Mai, Thailand was taking the body massage from a Korean physician in a Christian church.

The celebration was held at Yaung Chi Oo’s office and there were over 500 workers from about 10 factories and agricultural fields who attended, organizers said.

The celebration was organized by the Mae Sot based Yaung Chi Oo Workers’ Association. Eight groups from various organizations such as labour and NGOs cooperated with Yaung Chi Oo, said Ko Moe Swe, secretary general of Yaung Chi Oo Worker’s Association.

“The May Day celebration was held because we wanted to give the Burmese workers here in Thailand a clear message of what the May Day spirit is all about and how important the labour revolution event is in Burma,” said Ko Moe Swe.

During the celebration, speeches and presentations were made on the history of May Day and the background of the labour revolution in Burma. In another programme in the celebration, migrants in Thailand shared their experiences concerning labour rights, Ko Moe Swe added.

May Day celebrations were also held in other parts of Thailand by various labour groups.

Meanwhile, migrant workers in Mae Sot continue to be arrested everyday by Thai police and the arrests are increasing by the day. About 400 workers from a wool factory in Mae Sot were arrested in the last two days and such events are occurring every day, according to Yaung Chi Oo Workers’ Association.