The first batch of Chinese nationals involved in scam centers in Myanmar have left for China from Thailand. They are among hundreds of foreigners turned over to Thai authorities. Thailand’s deputy prime minister was at the airport to monitor the departure,

Thousands of foreigners are expected to be freed and returned from scam compounds in Myanmar in the coming weeks, starting with 600 Chinese over the next three days.

An airlift carrying more than 1,000 Chinese nationals who had worked at online scam centers in eastern Myanmar began Thursday, after the rescued workers were taken across the border to Thailand and put on chartered flights to China.