Persecuted Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar and thousands of Bangladeshi nationals have undertaken perilous journeys across the Andaman Sea to reach countries in Southeast Asia.

The US is upgrading Malaysia from lowest tier on its list of worst human trafficking centres, a move that could smooth way for an ambitious US-led free-trade deal with the Southeast Asian nation and 11 other countries.

Police arrest two brothers for their alleged involvement with human trafficking in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar.

Governments gathering in Bangkok tomorrow, to discuss the Southeast Asia boat people crisis should reach binding agreements to save people at sea, permit them to disembark without conditions, and ensure unimpeded access for UN agencies to protect the rights of asylum seekers, Human Rights Watch says.

Malaysia,Indonesia says they would no longer turn away migrant vessels, responding to world pressure by offering to take in a wave of boatpeople.

Philippines Justice Secretary Leila de Lima says her country is ready to shelter the “boatpeople” from Bangladesh and Myanmar should the migrants land on Philippine shores.

Alleged trafficking kingpin surrenders to Thai police while, Philippines is ready to shelter “boat people” from impoverished Bangladesh and Myanmar.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urges Thai government to offer proper treatment to boat people, saying they deserved "human dignity and basic rights."