Suu Kyi Gets Taste Of Home Away From Home: Thailand

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Suu Kyi gets taste of home away from home

SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE

THE NATION

Samut Sakhon

Photo : Nanthasit Nitmatha

Democracy leader vows to do her best for country as thousands of hopeful migrant workers greet her

SAMUT SAKHON: -- Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said she felt at home when thousands of migrant workers gathered to greet their "Me Suu" (Mother Suu) with joy and the hope that she will take their country towards democracy and prosperity.

Her first overseas trip in 24 years kicked off yesterday in Samut Sakhon's Mahachai area, where she did not feel at all like a stranger because the town is the home and workplace for thousands of Myanmar migrant workers. In fact, many of them have lived in Mahachai for more than two decades now.

After hearing about her visit from local media, social networks and friends, Myanmar citizens gathered outside the office of the Migrant Worker's Rights Network (MWRN) hours before her arrival at 10am yesterday.

Many of the workers wore T-shirts with her image, or carried portraits of Suu Kyi and her father late General Aung San, as well as flowers and signs expressing their feelings and opinions.

"Want to be embraced by Mother Suu", one poster read. "Yes, I feel like she is our mother," affirmed 29-year-old Karen worker Chit Thu.

Nan Kyat Su Kyi, a restaurant worker who was standing nearby, said, "It is more than that. I feel like she is our queen. I think if she was given a chance to run the country, Myanmar would be a lot better than it is now."

Nan Kyat Su Kyi and her friends spent Bt400 on a taxi from Bangkok to Mahachai so they could catch a glimpse of Suu Kyi yesterday.

"We have come to see her, laud her and support her struggle for democracy and the future of our country," Ni Ni Moyo Aye, a young Karen woman, said.

Laup, a farm worker from the neighbouring Ratchaburi province, said he tried to follow Suu Kyi wherever she went in order to absorb her strong spirit. "If I have a chance to talk to her in person, I will say nothing but wish her good health, good spirit and happiness," the worker, who also goes by the name Wichai, said.

Suu Kyi spent an hour at the office of migrant workers' network in Mahachai, and told the gathering that she had learned much about their situation and living conditions in Thailand. "I can give you one promise - I will try my best for you," she said, to loud applause.

At the MWRN office, Suu Kyi met senior officials from the Samut Sakhon provincial authority, representatives of migrant workers as well as NGO staff members who raised several issues related to migrant workers in Thailand.

An NGO member said that Suu Kyi had promised that she would take the issue up with the International Labour Organisation in Geneva, where she will be attending a conference next month.

She told Myanmar workers that since they had to live and work under Thai laws and regulations, they should respect and obey the country's law and order.

"When you work in another country, be responsible and skilful, so people in the country can respect you," she

said, adding that they would become a valuable resource for their country once they return home. History is always changing. You are working here now, but when our country is developed, the value of workers will be higher. We won't forget you," she said.

Suu Kyi is hoping to use her time in Thailand addressing issues related to Myanmar concerns. She brought up the subject of migrant workers during her meeting with former prime minister and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday, and is planning to raise the issue again today when she meets Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, who is in charge of migrant worker issues.

-- The Nation 2012-05-31

[ianf]

I wonder if anyone told her about the appalling treatment these Burmese workers get from the local police. At best it is racist and at worst the local police violate the human rights of these people in many ways. Poor people like these who are on the run from the rabid conditions in their own country come here to Thailand and get treated worse than dogs by the local police in Mahachai.

Edited May 31, 2012 by ianf

[phosphorescent]

From the title of the story, I thought she'd been locked up for voiceing her opinion!

[billd766]

I liked this cartoon in the Nation this morning.

http://www.nationmul...id=30&pid=13596

and this one

http://www.nationmul...id=30&pid=13605

Edited May 31, 2012 by billd766

[Lakegeneve]

I wonder if anyone told her about the appalling treatment these Burmese workers get from the local police. At best it is racist and at worst the local police violate the human rights of these people in many ways. Poor people like these who are on the run from the rabid conditions in their own country come here to Thailand and get treated worse than dogs by the local police in Mahachai.

Seriously, I am not sure if your question is very naive or arrogant! Though obviously your heart is in the right place. ASSK spent 24 years stuck in Burma so you can be rest assured that she is very well briefed on the plight and problems of her some 2m fellow country men and women in Thailand. (There have always been excellent networks between Thai based Burmese NGOs and the NLD in Burma).

One would think that is obvious when on only her 2nd day out of Burma in a quarter of a century she makes it a priority to go and visit the Migrant Worker Rights Network in Mahachai. And on her only other day off she plans to visit Dr Cynthias clinic in Tak and visit the Mae La refugee camp.

However, ASSK can't really be hosted as a VIP guest in Thailand attending the WEF and go around on her first visit outside Burma criticising the host country and how Burmese are treated, now can she? Her presence at the Mahachai and Tak makes enough of a statement.

[ianf]

Exactly it does. And posting here makes the issue open and transparent on the web. I've also posted on Thai web sites in Thai. Thai people have an appalling racist attitude towards people of Parma and rather than just happily reading a piece of good sunshiny news, it is well worth mentioning again the terrible things that these poor people have to suffer. I hope that as a result of her visit these people may receive better treatment. So the question was neither naive or arrogant but carefully placed to raise the issue.

[BrianCR]

I wonder if anyone told her about the appalling treatment these Burmese workers get from the local police. At best it is racist and at worst the local police violate the human rights of these people in many ways. Poor people like these who are on the run from the rabid conditions in their own country come here to Thailand and get treated worse than dogs by the local police in Mahachai.

Seriously, I am not sure if your question is very naive or arrogant! Though obviously your heart is in the right place. ASSK spent 24 years stuck in Burma so you can be rest assured that she is very well briefed on the plight and problems of her some 2m fellow country men and women in Thailand. (There have always been excellent networks between Thai based Burmese NGOs and the NLD in Burma).

One would think that is obvious when on only her 2nd day out of Burma in a quarter of a century she makes it a priority to go and visit the Migrant Worker Rights Network in Mahachai. And on her only other day off she plans to visit Dr Cynthias clinic in Tak and visit the Mae La refugee camp.

However, ASSK can't really be hosted as a VIP guest in Thailand attending the WEF and go around on her first visit outside Burma criticising the host country and how Burmese are treated, now can she? Her presence at the Mahachai and Tak makes enough of a statement.

Well done, not often we get sensible comments!!!