One of Thailand's daily newspapers reports that Thai health authorities are expressing concern over the health of North Koreans being held in Thai detention centers.

The Bangkok Post on Tuesday quoted Kamolwan Boonprong, head of the disease control checkpoint in Mae Sai district, as saying that many of the defectors are suffering from anxiety and stress following their arduous journeys while escaping North Korea through China.

Kamolwan told the paper that after crossing into Thailand, the defectors would often turn themselves in to the police in a bid to be deported to a third country, such as the United States or South Korea.

Kamolwan added that the Thai government cannot send them back to the North as it is Thailand's duty to care for their human rights and health.

Thai authorities and police say that an estimated 300 North Korean migrants were arrested after crossing the Thai border last year.