130 Thais Are Missing

[sriracha john]

Confusion over Thai refugees fate

Confusion arose yesterday over the fate of 130 Muslim-Thais who have sought refuge in Malaysia since August after senior officials in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok released conflicting re-ports regarding their repatriation. Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, of Malaysia's prime minister's department, incorrectly reported that the group held in northern Terengganu state were released and sent home, according to the state-run Bernama news agency.

"No more issues. All have been sent back. Both sides [Malaysia and Thailand] are very happy," he said when asked about the fate of the Thais who fled to Kelantan in August of last year.

Malaysia's Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail also said the remaining 130 had been released.

However, Abdul Gani later retracted his statement, saying it was the result of a "miscommunication."

"I don't know where they are," Abdul Gani told The Associated Press after a series of denials from Thailand.

Hours after the initial report surfaced, Deputy Prime Ministers Surakiart Sathirathai, Chidchai Vanasatidya and Supreme Com-mander Ruangroj Mahasaranond said the group was still in Malaysia.

The senior officials said they had received reports from the Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and the Southern Border Provinces Peace-building Command that the 130 Muslims had not yet been freed. Officials at the border checkpoint in Sungai Kolok also denied the reports, saying that not a single member of the group had crossed the border into Thailand, Chidchai told reporters.

A total of 131 Thai Muslims fled into Kelantan on August 30 last year to escape the unrest in the southern provinces. One of them wanted in connection with a raid on a military camp in Narathiwat on January 4, 2004, was handed over to Thai authorities last month.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he also received conflicting reports on the group's repatriation.

Initially, Thaksin said he had received a report from the Interior Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Sucharit Patchimnant saying the Muslims were home. Sucharit later denied the report.

The prime minister later withdraw his statement after he was told the National Security Council and the Foreign Ministry had yet to confirm the repatriation.

Edited January 18, 2006 by sriracha john

[Jai Dee]

AUTHORITIES SAID THAT THE 130 THAIS HAVE YET (TO BE) RETURNED TO THAILAND.

Officials have denied reports by foreign news agency that Malaysia has repatriated the 130 Thai Muslims seeking refuge in the country.

Supreme commander General Ruengroj Mahasaranon (เรืองโรจน์ มหาศรานนท์) said that he has not been contacted by Malaysian authorities, and insisted that the Thais are still in Malaysia. He said that the Directorate of Joint Intelligence has geen instructed to check this matter, while officials have been told to coordinate with Malaysian authorities.

Deputy commander of Provincial Police region 9, Major-general Tanee Tawitsri (ธานี ทวิชศรี) insisted that he has not been contacted by Malaysian officials to pick up the 130 Thais , but admitted that he will discuss the matter with Malaysia today.

Director of Information Department of the Foreign Ministry, Sihasak Puangkaitkaew (สีหศักดิ์ พวงเกตุแก้ว) revealed that after contacting the Thai embassy in Malaysia and the Malaysian government, he can insist that the news report is not true. He said that the Thais are still in Tranganu () state.

Malaysian Bernama news agency quoted Abdul Kani Patail (อับดุล กานี ปาตาอิล), Malaysian attorney-general, who apologized for the confusion. He said that the errors were due to miscommunication, but he did not give further details.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM INSISTED THAT THE NEWS REPORT ON THE RETURN OF 130 THAI MUSLIMS IS NOT TRUE.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra insisted that the news report on the return of 130 Thai Muslims in Malaysia to Thailand is untrue.

Prime Minister Thaksin said that the news was reported by foreign press. He said that the Foreign Affairs Ministry has checked this matter with Malaysia and related agencies, and found that there is still no progress on this case. He said that both countries will attempt to work things out on the issue, but said that the 130 Thai immigrants have yet to return home.

Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) said that complaints have been filed with foreign press that reported the news. He said that the background of the story and the source of the news will be checked, as it has caused confusion.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

MR. KANTATHIR INSISTS NO THAI-MUSLIMS HAVE BEEN REALEASED FROM MALAYSIA

In regards to the news reported by the Association Press, or AP news agency, over the release of 130 Thai-Muslims as stated by Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, Foreign Minister Kantathir Suphamongkhon (กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล) said it was a misunderstanding in the communication process.

He added that the Malaysia's Minister is not related to the matter, and he insisted that Thailand did not receive any contact concerning the return of 130 immigrants.

Dr. Kantathir said the news is deemed to be positive, and hope the progress will be made soon.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 January 2006

[joe beets]

Thanks for clearing that up.

jb

[sriracha john]

UPDATE

Most of 130 Thais in Malaysia not willing to return

Most of Thais who have been in custody in Malaysia after sneaking from Thailand in August are not willing to return home for now, Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon said Wednesday.

“They have sent a signal they are not ready and not willing to return to their home provinces. We respect their decision as our policy has been that we will provide safety for them if they are willing to return home,” Kantathi told reporters.

Late August, 131 Thais who cited insecurity and fear in their southern provinces sneaked into Malaysia. They are now under detention in Trengganu province and were interviewed by UN High Commission for Refugees.

Thailand have repeatedly said that it would give assurance for their safety if they wish to return home.

/Edit - Source: The Nation - Thu, February 23, 2006

Edited February 23, 2006 by Jai Dee

[Jai Dee]

ACM Kongsak insists he did not receive any report over the returning of 130 Thai-Muslims from Malaysia

Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana(คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) affirmed that he has not received any report from Malaysia's Foreign Affairs Minister over the wish of 130 Thai-Muslims to reside in Malaysia.

He is confident that this issue will not affect the confidence of Thailand in solving various problems.

Air Chief Marshal Kongsak stated that no official document from the Malaysian authorities has been issued and said that there should be no impact if the 130 Thai-Muslims do not want to return to Thailand since there are over one million residents in the three southern border provinces.

He also said it is possible for them to hold the Malaysian nationality.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 Febuary 2006

[sriracha john]

He is confident that this issue will not affect the confidence of Thailand in solving various problems.

I agree as I am sure that the issue will ensure that Thailand is fully capable of increasing its problem-solving capacity to complete the problem with incomplete works projects in the South and that the ability to structure these infrastructure projects will not project a negative image onto the many positive people involved with them.

Air Chief Marshal Kongsak stated that no official document from the Malaysian authorities has been issued and said that there should be no impact if the 130 Thai-Muslims do not want to return to Thailand since there are over one million residents in the three southern border provinces.

I agree again, as most likely they aren't even missed by their families and friends. In fact, who are they, again?

He also said it is possible for them to hold the Malaysian nationality.

While it's virtually impossible for them to hold Burkina Faso nationality or obtain Bhutanese citizenship.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Caretaker PM: 130 Thai-Muslims are still quiet on showing their intention to return to Thailand

Caretaker Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) has revealed that the 130 Thai fugitives in Malaysia are still quiet on showing their intention to return to Thailand.

Speaking after the meeting of security-related agencies, Pol. Gen. Chitchai said that Thailand is coordinating with the Malaysian Government on the return of the 130 Thai-Muslims. However, Malaysia will not return them to Thailand if they do not want to come back voluntarily.

He said that Malaysia understands Thailand’s situations, and he has also ensured the safety of the 130 escapees.

Referring to the violence in the Deep South, he believes that his officials can control the situation as they know more strategies of the insurgents in this region.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 April 2006

[Greer]

It does bother me a little that they are being referred to in the above as "escapees".

[TAWP]

"The ones that got away" as refered to in the military...

[Jai Dee]

Dr. Kantathi affirms the safety of the 130 Thai Muslims

Foreign Affairs Minister Kantathi Suphamongkon (กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล) said that the Thai government has been closely monitoring and continuously providing care to the 130 Thai fugitives in Malaysia.

However, he said that the Malaysian government will be responsible in taking care of them since they are they are staying in Malaysia.

He has affirmed that the bilateral relationship between Thailand and Malaysia is still positive.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Update: Some of the 131 Thai people migrated to Malaysia to return to Thailand

Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya (อารีย์ วงศ์อารยะ) says the government welcomes the 131 Thais who have fled to Malaysia two years ago, back home.

Mr Aree says he had been informed that several Thais from the 131 people informed that they will voluntarily return to Thailand due to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont’s trip to Malaysia. However, the minister says he does not know exactly how many of them will return home.

Regarding the general election, Mr Aree says the Election Commission (EC) has yet officially reported him of the election date and affirms the ministry will provide full cooperation to EC in arranging the election as planned by the government.

The minister is scheduled to travel to Narathiwat province today (August, 23rd) to grant land title deeds to residents of Su-ngai Padi (สุไหงปาดี) District.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Interior Minister says illegal Thai immigrants in Malaysia can return to Thailand

131 Thai illegal immigrants in Malaysia are allowed to return to Thailand through the aid of the Thai and Malaysian governments.

Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya (อารีย์ วงศ์อารยะ) reveals that the 131 Thais illegally entered Malaysia two years ago. However, they are now allowed to return to Thailand following the recent visit of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to Malaysia. Mr. Aree says that they may return at their leisure and with the full permission of the Thai and Malaysian governments.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 August 2007

[Sing_Sling]

It does bother me a little that they are being referred to in the above as "escapees".

Well, if they're being hunted by the goons in uniform and escape 'their own country' then escapees is the right word.

And you wonder why there is a feeling of disenfranchisement . . .

[Scott]

I think the best way to state some of this is that they sought refuge in Malaysia. Even if Malaysia and Thailand don't want to call them refugees (or aren't signatories to the UN Convention on Refugees), essentially these people sought refuge and protection in Malaysia.

Illegal immigrants isn't the most applicable term for them.

[Sing_Sling]

Conferring refugee status would make Thailand look too much like a military dictatorshop