The group, comprising both men and women, was found at around 1pm after villagers reported suspicious activity in the forested area at the foothills, Berita Harian reported.

Each migrant is believed to have paid agents between 79,000 baht (RM10,300) and 150,000 baht (RM20,200) in hopes of securing jobs in Malaysia.

A Thai security spokesman said authorities who arrived at the scene found more than 80 individuals hiding in bushes.

“Some of them had set up makeshift shelters under trees using tarpaulins. Checks found that none of them possessed valid travel documents,” the spokesman said.

The Myanmar nationals were all detained and taken to the Na Mom office hall for documentation and further investigation.

The spokesman said preliminary investigations found that the group had travelled from Payathonzu town in Kayin state, Myanmar, about six days earlier.

“They are believed to have entered Thailand via illegal routes near the Three Pagodas Pass in Sangkhlaburi district, Kanchanaburi, before being transported in stages.

“Authorities believe the migrants were moved using covered six-wheel trucks and four-wheel-drive vehicles before being dropped in the forest on the morning of their arrest.”

The spokesman said immigration authorities were screening the detainees to determine whether they were victims of human trafficking, although initial findings suggested that they had travelled voluntarily.

After the screening process, legal action will be taken before they are deported to their country of origin.