Thailand to discuss Rohingya problem with international agencies

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 19 - The Thai government will discuss sheltering and long-term solutions for Rohingya migrants with the National Security Council (NSC) and concerned international organisations to address the problem, said Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Saturday.

The Thai foreign minister made his remarks as he stood in for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on her weekly televised programme regarding the arrest of several hundred Rohingya migrants who illegally entered the kingdom in the South last week.

Mr Surapong said the foreign ministry discussed the Rohingya with the NSC last week and concluded that, initially, as the Rohingya minority were smuggled into the kingdom, they must be prosecuted under Thai law for illegal entry.

Then, for the short term, concerned agencies will care for them under already allocated budgets and the government will seek further help from international organisations in the long run.

Mr Surapong added the Thai authorities will also have to separate Rohingya migrants who have committed offences from the rest.

The minister however insisted Thailand will not repatriate the detained Rohingya people for the time being and that the prime minister has instructed concerned agencies to provide help under humanitarian principles.

Regarding shelter for the Rohingya people, Mr Surapong said he will discuss with the NSC and international organisations soon, including International Red Cross, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and UNICEF to find a sustainable solution of the issue. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-19

PM rules out refugee centre for Rohingya migrants

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 19 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra disagreed with the idea for a displaced person centre for Rohingya migrants awaiting repatriation from Thailand after illegally entering into the country.

She said such a centre will not solve the problem in the long run as the Rohingya minority people want to settle down in a safe place.

The Foreign Ministry will have to discuss with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on procedures for dealing with the Rohingya migrants and whether a refugee centre is viable, she said, adding that coordination with the country of origin and third countries is also necessary for a clear solution to the problem.

The Rohingya migrants will not be repatriated to Myanmar for the time being, Ms Yingluck said.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said responsible government agencies will have to deal with the Rohingya migrants under Thai law for illegal entry but the procedure could be flexibly applied, especially regarding women and children.

Human trafficking victims will be separated from illegal migrants and categories of offences will be clearly defined, bearing in mind humanitarian principles, he said.

An immediate solution involves sheltering and taking care of the Rohingya illegal migrants while the Foreign Ministry will negotiate with Myanmar, other countries and international organisations on their resettlement, Mr Surapong said.

The UNHCR, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), UNICEF and International Red Cross are among the agencies to hold talks with the Thai foreign ministry to find a sustainable solution with an emphasis on Thailand’s sovereignty, he said.

He said the Foreign Ministry began initial talks with UNHCR and IOM on Tuesday to prepare a framework for assistance to the Rohingya migrants while representatives of international agencies on humanitarianism will be invited to visit the temporary Rohingya holding centres.

Mr Surapong expressed appreciation to the Muslim community in Songkhla, where over 800 Rohingya migrants were apprehended, for giving donations and other assistance to the ethnic people. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-19

Thailand has plenty of baht to throw around on solving the Rohingya problem Let some of the wealthy business class show up for a change with some funding and a proposal. The wealthy business privileged class in Thailand never seems to do any heavy lifting when it comes to giving and charity and funding worthwhile causes.

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The well funded, well management refugee center is the right way to go. Let Thai wealthy business class take of setting this up with their money and business expertise. The Rohingya can be trained in job skills and get legal jobs and become good Thai citizens. It will show that the wealthy Thai business class does something onc in a while with their money by giving back to mankind. We rarely if ever see a notation about wealthy Thai business class giving back. When was the last time you saw "country club Thais" going down to the Klong Toey Slum to pitch in and /or give Father Joe some extra money?

Thailand has plenty of baht to throw around on solving the Rohingya problem Let some of the wealthy business class show up for a change with some funding and a proposal. The wealthy business privileged class in Thailand never seems to do any heavy lifting when it comes to giving and charity and funding worthwhile causes.

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The well funded, well management refugee center is the right way to go. Let Thai wealthy business class take of setting this up with their money and business expertise. The Rohingya can be trained in job skills and get legal jobs and become good Thai citizens. It will show that the wealthy Thai business class does something onc in a while with their money by giving back to mankind. We rarely if ever see a notation about wealthy Thai business class giving back. When was the last time you saw "country club Thais" going down to the Klong Toey Slum to pitch in and /or give Father Joe some extra money?

It's a world wide problem. Except for a very few, the rich don't seem to care one way or another. It's a sad commentary on the way our current world is focused. The Buddha said, our role for being here should be to help our fellow man. There is absolutely no reason why children should go to bed hungry. We have enough food on this planet to feed every man, woman and child. daily..

Dubai asks already to take care of Muslim brothers? Oh I forgot, Mr.T. didn't pay (I don't know what exactly) in Dubai. Where he is he makes problems.

(Mods: This is irony, but some posters don't know, don't ban me)

"Mr Surapong added the Thai authorities will also have to separate Rohingya migrants who have committed offences from the rest."

Pretty good chance they have all committed an offense according to the Burmese legal system. I don't think it takes much for the Burmese government to charge them after all they don't really want them. Hopefully if they get repatriated enough time will have passed for the government to maintain better control. Burma is slowly getting better. A long way to go yet.

Didn't Thailand shut down a few of the international agencies working in the Burmese refugee camps along the border, back in the "you're not my farther" days.

I see Surapong wants to prosecute these refugees rather than the their camo suited smugglers

Didn't Thailand shut down a few of the international agencies working in the Burmese refugee camps along the border, back in the "you're not my farther" days.

I see Surapong wants to prosecute these refugees rather than the their camo suited smugglers

I get B P online, I read earlier that the police allege that politicians and army officers between the rank of Major and Colonel in the southern provinces are involved with the people smuggling along with people from Malaysia who live in the area. Of course there is no way to knowing just how many politicians, police and army personnel may be involved.