Storm Leaves 70 Rohingya Adrift Off Phuket

[webfact]

Storm leaves 70 Rohingya adrift off Phuket

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A boat carrying about 70 Rohingya fleeing persecution in their homeland in Myanmar were taken into custody by the Thai authorities off Phuket today.

Local fisherman first sighted the boat off Bon Island, off Rawai Beach at the southern end of Phuket, and reported it to Rawai Municipality.

“I was told by fishermen this morning that there was a suspicious-looking boat with many people on board floating off Koh Bon, so I reported it to Chalong Police,” Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos told the Phuket Gazette.

Chalong Superintendent Krittapad Dej-intorrasorn led Chalong Police and Rawai Municipality officers to examine the boat.

On board, they counted 70 Rohingya.

The Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, located on Phuket’s Cape Panwa, and Marine Police were alerted and arrived to take the Rohingya into custody.

“According to our investigation so far, these Rohingya were on their way to other countries, but there was a heavy storm during their journey and their boat ran out of fuel, so they were forced to stop,” Mayor Aroon explained.

“They asked for food and boat fuel, which our municipality officers have already prepared for them,” he added.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...uket-19858.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-01-02

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Rohingya repatriated to Myanmar

Phuket Gazette -

The Rohingya rescued from an open boat adrift off Phuket, including women and children who were fleeing violent persecution in their home state of Arakan, are to be repatriated to Myanmar. Photo: Chalong Police

PHUKET: In a stunning development this morning, Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut announced that the 71 Rohingya rescued from an open boat adrift off Phuket yesterday are en route to be repatriated to Myanmar.

The move to repatriate the refugees, including women and children, came at the request of the refugees themselves, Gov Maitri said.

Speaking at the monthly “Governor Meets the Press” meeting, Governor Maitri explained that Phuket Immigration had arranged to transport the 71 Rohingya – which included women and children fleeing violent persecution in their home state of Arakan in Myanmar – to Ranong, about 300km north of Phuket.

There, they will cross the border to re-enter Myanmar.

However, Governor Maitri also explained that the Thai government considers the Rohingya people as a people in need.

“They are like patients who need treatment. They said they were on their way to Malaysia, but ran out of fuel. They asked us for food and fuel. We gave them 200 liters of fuel for the long journey to Malaysia.

“However, they had already spent almost two weeks at sea – they departed their shores on December 19. They were exhausted; so instead of risking heading back out to sea to continue their journey, they decided to go back home,” Gov Maitri said.

Phuket Immigration was contacted and asked to organize food and transport for the refugees.

“They are being all being returned to the Ranong border by car. The cars left Phuket this morning,” Governor Maitri added.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-Rohingya-repatriated-to-Myanmar-19860.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-01-02

[Scott]

How many cars does it take to transport 71 people?

[indyuk]

Well done Royal Thai Navy. These look to be potential immigrants that are strong and in good health . Give it some thought Thailand.

[stoli]

I can't imagine the anquish of spending two weeks on this small, crowded boat. There came a time to call it quits, and they made their decision. In their shoes, most of us would probably have done the same. Think of food, water, using the ocean as a toilet, with 70 other people, for two weeks. Night & day. Terrible conditions. Hope they are well when they arrive home.

[Felt 35]

......Do unto others as you would have them do to you.......