Thailand can ignore the Rohingya crisis no longer

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Thailand can ignore the Rohingya crisis no longer

By The Nation

 

With no current movement on any level, the country closest to Myanmar should be taking the lead
 

It’s time for Thailand to take up a leading role in helping ease the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Failure to do so now would only exacerbate an already grievous problem afflicting the Kingdom and the entire region.

 

Nearly a million refugees from Rakhine, including 700,000 fleeing violence at home since August last year, are now being sheltered in Bangladesh. The number is growing, as people keep moving out of the strife-torn state due to violence that has reportedly been non-stop.

 

The situation will not easily be resolved. Local authorities are complicit in the violence against the Rohingya, and Rohingya militant groups have taken provocative action of their own. Both sides are begging for further repercussions.

 

The exodus since last August is just the tip of the iceberg. The United Nations’ rights agency and the global Rohingya diaspora have accused the Myanmar government and military – the Tatmadaw – of wilful ethnic cleansing in Rakhine. The UN agency has urged the Security Council to investigate possible genocide following a series of reported atrocities. 

 

Nevertheless, it would be difficult to bring such a case before an international tribunal due to the diverse stances adopted by the parties involved. As well, international opinion is divided on how best to deal with the crisis. Several countries have strongly criticised the Myanmar authorities, singling out de facto head of state Aung San Suu Kyi, for mishandling the situation. Others though – notably the Association of Southeast Asians, of which Myanmar is a member – have insisted on quiet assistance to the government to cope with, rather than solve, the problem.

 

While Asean has been repeatedly urged to play a more significant role in resolving the crisis, its member-states are disunited in their assessments of what’s happening and it has refrained from addressing the causes at their root. Malaysia and Indonesia have pressed for action, but others want to stay clear. That leaves Asean incapable of doing any more than dispatching humanitarian assistance to Rakhine.

 

Given its close proximity, Thailand should be stepping into the breach and assuming the leadership in guiding the region’s hand.

 

Thailand badly needs to speak out about the Rohingya issue, if not out of compassion, then because it could become a problem for the country if more refugees begin coming here in a bid to escape the terrible conditions of the Bangladesh border camps. Tight controls on our own frontier and harsh treatment imposed on trafficking syndicates have lately kept the flow of refugees to a minimum, but those restrictions could ease. Without an effective solution soon, it is highly possible that the Rohingya could resume their southward and eastward flights.

 

Thailand’s military regime has little or no credibility to defend democracy and human rights, but it could exploit its good relations with the Tatmadaw for the sake of humanitarianism. It is important to note that the assistance Thailand and other countries have sent to Rakhine is patchy and inadequate. 

 

By Asean protocol, Thailand can do little at the moment as a member of the bloc, which Singapore currently chairs, but it could take an important individual role in serving as a bridge connecting Myanmar, the rest of Asean and the international community. Our generals, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, might be preoccupied by domestic affairs, but our diplomats in the Foreign Ministry are keen to take the initiative if there is the political will to support them.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30341819

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-27

[kannot]

Ye s they can and will ignore it or at best give it lip service, they are NOT THAIS and therefore inferior, welcome to your nationalistic  country

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Our generals, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, might be preoccupied by domestic affairs, but our diplomats in the Foreign Ministry are keen to take the initiative if there is the political will to support them.

there is no such will; far from it;

the current rulers care little for their own people, despite their speech otherwise, as such they care nothing about human rights of non thais;

mai pen rai, in this case, meaning: I will decide what is important, not you

[NanLaew]

Three things to note here.

 

One is that the basic ASEAN mandate is for non-interference in a fellow member country's internal, political affairs. This includes stating a public opinion on those internal affairs regardless if they be in agreement with the fellow member country or otherwise. Instead of mentioning "By Asean protocol, Thailand can do little at the moment as a member of the bloc", maybe the Nation's editors should read the ASEAN articles of association first?

 

The other is despite a huge common border, there are no Rohingya fleeing into Thailand so why should Thailand get more involved?

 

The last one confirms that while the Nation, like most all the other frothing foreign media, is happily singling out "the de facto head of state Aung San Suu Kyi, for mishandling the situation", they collectively seem to be unaware what "de facto" really means here.

Edited March 27, 2018 by NanLaew

[Odysseus123]

16 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Three things to note here.

 

One is that the basic ASEAN mandate is for non-interference in a fellow member country's internal, political affairs. This includes stating a public opinion on those internal affairs regardless if they be in agreement with the fellow member country or otherwise. Instead of mentioning "By Asean protocol, Thailand can do little at the moment as a member of the bloc", maybe the Nation's editors should read the ASEAN articles of association first?

 

The other is despite a huge common border, there are no Rohingya fleeing into Thailand so why should Thailand get more involved?

 

The last one confirms that while the Nation, like most all the other frothing foreign media, is happily singling out "the de facto head of state Aung San Suu Kyi, for mishandling the situation", they collectively seem to be unaware what "de facto" really means here.

Yes-"de jure" is the proper term here.

 

The de facto rulers of Myanmar are a different kettle of uniformed fish entirely.

Edited March 27, 2018 by Odysseus123

[kannot]

20 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

Yes-"de jure" is the proper term here.

 

The de facto rulers of Myanmar are a different kettle of uniformed fish entirely.

No problem, bury em in the jungle

[lvr181]

4 hours ago, kannot said:

Ye s they can and will ignore it or at best give it lip service,

And because it is Buddhist vs Muslim.

 

While I have empathy for those who are, in some peoples thinking (rightly or wrongly) "being ethnically discriminated against", how about the wealthy Muslim nations helping them out?

Why is it that western nations are called upon to help out? These same religious fundamentalist groups always want to make war on western nations (and themselves sometimes).

Edited March 27, 2018 by lvr181

[irwinfc]

can somebody tell me, why would any country get involved in myanmar's affairs? is it because an unnamed journalist in the nation says so? malaysia and indonesia seem willing, so why not let them take lead?

[UnkleMoooose]

If Thailand helps then the rabid dog that is Islam will bite the hand that feeds it.

[bluedoc]

I think it wise that Thailand does not get involved. Thailand already has a problem with Muslims in the south wanting to Change laws to suit themselves. My opinion. If you want to live in Thailand, live by Thailand’s laws. If you don’t like their law, best you leave.

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, bluedoc said:

I think it wise that Thailand does not get involved. Thailand already has a problem with Muslims in the south wanting to Change laws to suit themselves. My opinion. If you want to live in Thailand, live by Thailand’s laws. If you don’t like their law, best you leave.

For your improvement of knowledge: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/muslim-insurgency-southern-thailand

WARNING: content may conflict with your current perceptions.

[akirasan]

Quote

Thailand can ignore the Rohingya crisis no longer

I think you're underestimating their ability to ignore problems.  It's like a national sport.  

[coulson]

Not only will they continue to ignore it, they will also.....

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-myanmar/thailand-decorates-myanmars-army-chief-amid-rohingya-crisis-idUSKCN1G01D1

[anon789561]

5 hours ago, lvr181 said:

And because it is Buddhist vs Muslim.

 

While I have empathy for those who are, in some peoples thinking (rightly or wrongly) "being ethnically discriminated against", how about the wealthy Muslim nations helping them out?

Why is it that western nations are called upon to help out? These same religious fundamentalist groups always want to make war on western nations (and themselves sometimes).

you could partially blame the Brits for their actions when they left in 1948. at one point they even promised them independence and then screwed them over i believe.Not suggested the UK gets involved at all, they have enough on their plate but they didn't manage it well at all when they left

[DM07]

Yaaaaawn!

a) Thailand will and does ignore the problem!
b ) yeeees....islam baaaaad! That's why it is okay to rape and murder members of that faith!

 

[PatOngo]

5 hours ago, bluedoc said:

I think it wise that Thailand does not get involved. Thailand already has a problem with Muslims in the south wanting to Change laws to suit themselves. My opinion. If you want to live in Thailand, live by Thailand’s laws. If you don’t like their law, best you leave.

Would that be the law for the rich or the law for the others?

[dorchester]

 

they got this one right but only by default

[NanLaew]

2 hours ago, coulson said:

Not only will they continue to ignore it, they will also.....

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-myanmar/thailand-decorates-myanmars-army-chief-amid-rohingya-crisis-idUSKCN1G01D1

Yes indeed; good find there. I remember reading this last month and thinking how utterly hopeless can one get?

 

Maybe you can forward the reuters link to the Nation's editorial section?

Edited March 27, 2018 by NanLaew

[Sir Dude]

There is no will to do anything on the Thai side. Firstly, the generals are buddies on both sides and are cut from the same cloth really, plus have been photoed with each other slapping each other's backs and getting along just fine. Secondly, as has been mentioned already, the refugees are a load of Muslim foreigners...simply doesn't fly here and everyone can dream on for action from the Thais on it. No way Jose! And all the bleating in the media will change nothing. 

Edited March 27, 2018 by Sir Dude

[NeoDinosaw]

3 hours ago, Happy enough said:

you could partially blame the Brits for their actions when they left in 1948. at one point they even promised them independence and then screwed them over i believe.Not suggested the UK gets involved at all, they have enough on their plate but they didn't manage it well at all when they left

Too true ! The granting of independence to Burma  was a betrayal of most of the ethnic minorities. During WW2 the ethnic minorities helped the Brits against the Japs and suffered many atrocities for this. The Burmese, by contrast helped the Japs. It was widely accepted (and some say promised) that when independence came, the ethnic states would re-gain their sovereignty.  But Mountbatten was in a hurry and didn't want to have to organise the independence of 8 or 9 separate countries out of British Burma, and pushed for British Burma to be handed over to the Aung San despite his history of leading his army in war crimes against the Allies, and personally  murdering an un-armed Muslim village leader  by bayonet.  Since Independence the ethnic minorities and their lands have been constantly raped by the Burmese who deny them their rights. The larger states (eg Shan and Katchin) continue the struggle for justice but the world looks on with indifference and supports the Burmese government with massive investments (eg oil industry).  One is ashamed to be British.

[lungbing]

This one is not ashamed to be British.  It was 70 years ago and  I don't care.  How have they integrated into the Burmese population in the past 70 years?  They haven't, they don't, and they won't.

[Stargeezr]

Thailand is only a neighbour of Burma, and has their own issues. The refugees that are all ready in Thailand

are enough to handle. These Muslims are not innocent as well as they had attacked members of the Burmese

military in the past. It is a Burma problem.

Geezer