Thai Military Authorities and Burmese Refugees

[wazza]

Not a nice news headline

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25 ... 09,00.html

[jackspratt]

Amongst many other events, Thailand should hang its head in shame for its treatment of these refugees.

Unfortunately, like many other things, it will not mean a tupp'ny squirt what I, you or anyone else on this forum says.

Wait for the official Indonesian report - sure! You scratch my back, and I will scratch yours. In many cases, it is only the NGOs which create any sense of accountability here, and in many other places around the world.

Long may they flourish =D>

[arjay]

I've just been watching the latest on CNN. Not good publicity for Thailand, yet again. This latest batch to turn up in Indonesia had apparently been set adrift within the last 3 weeks, which tends to undermine the Thais saying that they had changed the way they were treating refugees.

We also watch Thai TV at home and my GF tells me that the Thai TV News does not tell the same story as BBC and CNN. The Thai authorities/TV appear to be saying that the refugees have been badly treated including beatings, by the Myanmar, and that the Thai authorities have been giving them help and (notably) medical treatment.

CNN seem to be running an ongoing report on it currently.

[wazza]

The Indonesian health authorities have 1 piece of evidence to support the wounds, that is they are 2-3 weeks old and looking at the scaring on TV, thats pretty obvious.

Still, could the the local Myamar authorities might still be involved ??

Either way to set a boat free without food and water.....

[arjay]

Still, could the the local Myamar authorities might still be involved ??

Unfortunately, in the CNN TV report that's not what the refugees were saying. They said it was the Thai military.

[BobHelm]

Similar report on the Aussie channel Arjay.
Agree not exactly good publicity. And certainly VERY unpleasant if true. But, before anyone gets on Thailands' back it is worth considering the root cause of the problem - Myanmar - who carry on in their own way regardless with minimal condemnation from anyone that matters.
Maybe one day it will be allowed to progress to benefit people other than senior army members, but I will not hold my breath!!

[trubrit]

Similar report on the Aussie channel Arjay.
Agree not exactly good publicity. And certainly VERY unpleasant if true. But, before anyone gets on Thailands' back it is worth considering the root cause of the problem - Myanmar - who carry on in their own way regardless with minimal condemnation from anyone that matters.
Maybe one day it will be allowed to progress to benefit people other than senior army members, but I will not hold my breath!!

Nice thought. however In my view Thailand is drifting towards the Burmese style.

[BKKSTAN]

IF the Army is the real power here,and if the civilians stayed polarized and in conflict,the military could step in and take permanent rule.

The Thai smile does not mean that the Thai mental attitudes are anymore humane than the Burmese.

The alleged actions of the Thai military is consistent with many incidents in the past and the fact that the refugees were landing in the South where the military is fighting against a Muslim insurgency,didn't help the situation any!

The fact that Thailand is a country aligned with West in trade and tourism,is probably the biggest factor that prevents a Burmese type gov't!

[jackspratt]

It's good to see the Asian style of "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" (aka bury your head in the sand) appears to be breaking down.

Indonesia critical of Thailand's refugee handling

Indonesia has implicitly criticised Thailand for towing hundreds of Burmese Muslims out to sea in boats without engines and little food.

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda says Indonesia will now consider granting refugee status to the Rohingya asylum seekers now in its care.

Hundreds of Rohingya Muslim asylum seekers from Burma have been recently rescued at sea off Aceh with tales of abuse in Burma and at the hands of Thai security forces.

They accuse of the Thai army of beating them and then towing them out to sea and setting them adrift in boats without engines.

Indonesia's Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda has called for an end to "human rights violations of minority groups in Burma and harsh treatment like physical abuse when they transit".

Mr Hassan said "towing them out to sea, will certainly burden neighbouring countries in Asia" and without explicitly mentioning Thailand added, "they must stop casting them out to sea".

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009 ... ion=justin