Burmese Refugees Sold On By Thai Officials

[webfact]

Burmese refugees sold on by Thai officials

By Jonah Fisher

BBC News, Phuket, Thailand

An investigation by the BBC has revealed that Thai officials have been selling boat people from Burma to human traffickers.

Thousands of Muslim Rohingya have fled to sea in recent months after deadly communal violence in Rakhine State, with many heading east across the Andaman Sea to Thailand.

The BBC found that boats were being intercepted by the Thai navy and police, with deals then made to sell the people on to traffickers who transport them south towards Malaysia.

The Thai government say they are taking the allegations seriously and have promised to investigate. [more...]

Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk...d-asia-21115728

-- BBC 2013-01-21

[rkidlad]

The Thai government say they are taking the allegations seriously and have promised to investigate............

Anyone found to be involved will be moved to an 'inactive' post.

[Thailand]

Thailand, the hub of human trafficking.

[hellodolly]

One official said that working with the brokers was now regarded as the "natural" solution.

[indyuk]

One official said that working with the brokers was now regarded as the "natural" solution.

Thank goodness the said Thai Officials can moneterise their 'Natural Solution', perhaps ensuring that same Thai Officials will not choose a 'Final Solution' for these unfortunate people as they flee for their lives.

[indyuk]

One official said that working with the brokers was now regarded as the "natural" solution.

Thank goodness for that. No need for them to choose a 'final solution' while able to moneterise these unfortunate people that flee for their live's.

[Pimay1]

The Thai government say they are taking the allegations seriously and have promised to investigate............

Anyone found to be involved will be moved to an 'inactive' post.

Unless of course they have the cash to slide it under the carpet.

[EyesWideOpen]

I really wish I could be in on the meeting of Thai government officials explaining to western officials how they are combating

trafficking in order to avoid sanctions . Then this story comes up, which is WORSE than trafficking, as the Thais are actually

capturing refugees and selling them. Closer to forced slavery than trafficking........ Am now waiting for the rose colored

glasses brigade to try and spin this one.. Paging NIsa .......Perhaps Google results of other countries capturing and selling refugees ????

From the BBC article. As I have said before, the police continue to plumb new depths. I think a real price is going to be paid over this issue. The police should have stuck to their standard shake downs and selling drugs.

"The broker said that they bought us from police," he said. "If we don't give them money they won't let us go. They said: 'We don't care if you die here'."

Edited January 21, 2013 by EyesWideOpen

[NongKhaiKid]

This story is generating its own momentum but will it make any difference ?

[Fozfromoz]

This story is generating its own momentum but will it make any difference ?

Probably not much unless it spreads around the world press and they keep on it. The spinners wil step in and take the heat out of it I'm sure.

[chooka]

' Rohingya Are Illegals, But Will Be Treated Humanely...

in Thailand News

Started by Lite Beer, Yesterday, 07:34

[MunterHunter]

Sadly, this kind of story doesn't surprise me...

Thai Police tend to be the scum of this country

[MEL1]

One official said that working with the brokers was now regarded as the "natural" solution.

I seem to recall a German man who had a 'Final solution', often referred to also as the 'natural solution' too.

That official is on his way to the very top!

-mel.

[slapout]

About the time you think mankind has hit another historcial low in behavior, someone digs something else up. The fact that this info came from a foreign new source, speaks volumes for just how unconcerned/ill informed the Thai people really are. This trail could lead back to crewing/staffing, Thai owned businesses in this country as well as bordering countries.

For the Thai government to tell the world they, via PR campaigns, how much they are doing to promote human rights is contemptable. The upmost concern here seems to be money, hit them in the pocket book, and you may get their attention. Another example of believe half of what you see and less. of what you hear.

[Pimay1]

About the time you think mankind has hit another historcial low in behavior, someone digs something else up. The fact that this info came from a foreign new source, speaks volumes for just how unconcerned/ill informed the Thai people really are. This trail could lead back to crewing/staffing, Thai owned businesses in this country as well as bordering countries.

For the Thai government to tell the world they, via PR campaigns, how much they are doing to promote human rights is contemptable. The upmost concern here seems to be money, hit them in the pocket book, and you may get their attention. Another example of believe half of what you see and less. of what you hear.

It also speaks volumes as to the Thai media. A foreign correspondant has to reveal what is going on in Thailand right under the local media's nose.

[ginjag]

The Thai government say they are taking the allegations seriously and have promised to investigate............

Anyone found to be involved will be moved to an 'inactive' post.

and to add their earlier post was mostly INACTVE

[Rancid]

Where ever the opportunity exists for cashing in at the expense of others Thai Officials will always be at the front line. The whole system of endemic corruption is designed so that bureaucratic department and government office can get their share whilst the police ignore it all while raking in their misbegotten gains from fraud and extortion. The system is so rotten to the core nothing will ever change it, nothing has in the past nor will it is the future, a few soundbites about doing this or that as everyone knows never amounts to anything as it isn't intended to.

Not that Thailand is alone in corrupt and bought governments, seems to be getting more common rather than less, many here come from systems every bit as rancid.

[hellodolly]

This story is generating its own momentum but will it make any difference ?

Probably not in the long run.

As soon as the eye of the world is off this situation the Thai's will carry on with there own idea of what is rite.

Did any one ever hear of the results of the investigation o few years back when they took the motors off two bargwe loads of refuges and towed them out to sea.

Abhist had the army investigate it. One of the reasons I did not like him. Yes I know he was the finest man for the job but I don't have to like him.

[ginjag]

Where ever the opportunity exists for cashing in at the expense of others Thai Officials will always be at the front line. The whole system of endemic corruption is designed so that bureaucratic department and government office can get their share whilst the police ignore it all while raking in their misbegotten gains from fraud and extortion. The system is so rotten to the core nothing will ever change it, nothing has in the past nor will it is the future, a few soundbites about doing this or that as everyone knows never amounts to anything as it isn't intended to.

Not that Thailand is alone in corrupt and bought governments, seems to be getting more common rather than less, many here come from systems every bit as rancid.

Who in this place wouldn't love to see a genuine clean-up, week in week out we get the government departments shouting their mouths off about a CRACK-DOWN in their departments, headed by the P.M. promissing that corruption is being stopped

to the farang/foreigner here we see it rising. Near all the dodgy goings on are controlled by the top, and these are the people that say crackdowns are on the increase.

Give the Thai people a break, and tourists, come clean your acts up, make a name for yourselves M.Ps and others.2013 give it a go for hells sake -all persons in Thailand are sick of it, APART from those who condone it.

[FarangTalk]

Disgusting behaviour from officials with no moral compass.

[Locationthailand]

The real underside of Thai officials being exposed. How low will these people stoop, selling other disadvantaged human beings? The corruption is now proving to be at a level so low one cannot imagine. And you can bet Malaysia will not be treating their fellow Moslem with any dignity either.

[dcutman]

I dont suppose this is going to help Thailands chances of not getting downgraded to the tier 3 human trafficking list?

Or is it going to make the US reevaluate things and make a special case tier 4 for Thailand?

[Bluespunk]

Scum.

[geriatrickid]

I dont suppose this is going to help Thailands chances of not getting downgraded to the tier 3 human trafficking list?

Or is it going to make the US reevaluate things and make a special case tier 4 for Thailand?

The reaction of Scandinavian countries especially Norway and Sweden will be interesting. This block has a well defined position on human rights and has asserted itself on the world stage in this regard, especially in the middle east. This is also a group who have nationals with a significant presence in Thailand. Will it maintain a consistent position with Thailand and put the retirement investments of tens of thousands of their nationals at risk? Doubtful.

The revelations are serious and open Thailand up to the imposition of trade and travel sanctions. The EU has imposed such sanctions on African nations that had similar situations. The hypocrisy of the west is about to raise its ugly head as Thailand most likely gets a pass, but I do note that it took some time before the Cote Ivoire with its slaves in the cocoa plantations was hit with sanctions. Will the southern farms and plantations using the Rohingya slaves be hit with the anti human trafficking sanctions? Will Thailand's rice exporters have to provide certification of being slave free if they wish to sell rice into western markets? The government has a time bomb on its hands and unless the PM acts fast and makes some arrests and disciplines the military and police that are implicated, this will blow up.

I note that some will use this tragedy as an excuse top blame the government. Unfortunately, the navy personnel implicated do not answer to the civilian government and the politicians involved come from the Democrat dominated south. The government may not wish to provoke a confrontation with the Thai military, nor with the Democrats. What this does illustrate is that beneath the thin veneer of calm in Thailand is a bubbling cauldron of financial interests that are in conflict with the elected government, and that the government does not have full control of the nation.

Edited January 21, 2013 by Scott
formatting

[cbrer]

Would anyone who's been here for say five years and over expect anything different from the Thais?

[cbrer]

I suppose it is better for them financially than just towing them out to sea and setting 1000 of them adrift with no food nor water to die.

Like the Thai authorities did in 2008.

[EyesWideOpen]

I always wondered what those big police vans were used for..........Now I know.

[blaze]

This would reflect very poorly on the government - in most countries- Because in most countries the military and the police are answerable to the government- sadly that is not the case in Thailand. If the government demands accounatability from the army chain of command- what force can they muster to obtain that accountability? Red slingshots?

Before blaming the government- let's watch the army deal with this- and- it's possible that heads will roll- If not- can anyone suggest what the government's next step should be? We know how Abhsit dealt with similar international outrage against the behavior of the navy to Rohinga- and I doubt this or any other government could realistically do much more- other than tell the world- hey, we're talking the Thai army here people- they answer to NO ONE.

And that's an admission that most governments would prefer not to make.

I'm sure that if it could, this - and any other government would be more than happy to back the army up against a wall- demand that it takes responsibility- but- you can't do that in Thailand. No governement ever has and until things radically change, no government will. They can't.

A truly rotten situation.

Edited January 21, 2013 by blaze

[ginjag]

Geriatrickid, the post was ok. until you sort of said the government have no control over the navy ???? and implied the demo's from the south may have some financial gain. ????? if not what did you say cause thats how I got the gist of it.

Isn't W.Goldberg.....sorry I meant the PM (sister act) she responsible here in ALL matters ??? isn't that what she and the cabinet get paid for, and were elected for. It is called control-democracy but how can you control here when most of the top brass are involved in some cash benefit indirectly or directly, Corruption is rife and getting worse. So I blame the said government in power whoever it is.

[noitom]

When the police and the armed forces are corrupted, the state is failed.