Thai police use water cannon on Rohingya asylum seekers

[webfact]

Thai police use water cannon on Rohingya asylum seekers

BANGKOK, August 9, 2013 (AFP) - Thai police used water cannon to prevent scores of Muslim Rohingya boat people from Myanmar breaking out of a detention centre to celebrate the end of Ramadan, officials said Thursday.

Some 261 Rohingya asylum seekers broke the locks on two rooms and then tried to storm the centre's secure front door in southern Phang Nga province, where many have been held for months, police told AFP.

"Officials blocked them at the ground floor and are negotiating with them... but they still want to come out and refuse to go back to the rooms," according to provincial police chief Chalit Kaewyarat.

He said police fired water cannon through the gated front door to prevent the refugees, who are all men, leaving and "to calm them down".

"We will wait until they are calm before moving them (temporarily) to police stations," he added.

A local official requesting anonymity confirmed the incident, adding the Rohingya men want to come out "for prayers for Hari Raya" -- as the festival of Eid, marking the end of the Muslim holy month, is known locally.

Police said they would allow five of the detainees out at a time "but all of them still want to leave" prompting the angry stand-off.

Many of the asylum-seekers have been locked up in the overcrowded and reportedly insanitary centre for several months, prompting rights groups to call for their release.

Thousands of Muslim Rohingya boat people -- including women and children -- have fled the former junta-ruled country since Buddhist-Muslim clashes a year ago in the state of Rakhine in western Myanmar.

Those who arrived in Thailand have been "helped on" by the kingdom's navy towards Malaysia -- their destination of choice -- or detained as illegal immigrants.

Thailand initially said the asylum-seekers would be allowed to stay for six months while the government worked with the UN refugee agency UNHCR to try to find other countries willing to accept them.

But overseas help has not been forthcoming so far, leaving the refugees in limbo, and separated from their families.

A UNHCR spokeswoman Vivian Tan said the centres were not designed to hold "so many people for so long".

"While the motives for this incident are still unclear, it reflects the growing frustration among the Rohingya being held in detention," she said.

Tan urged Thai authorities to "urgently" transfer them to shelters that will allow families to be reunited and provide "greater freedom of movement".


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-08-09

[webfact]

261 Rohingyas at Phang-nga immigration point staged near-riot

BANGKOK, 9 August 2013 (NNT) – 261 Rohingya migrants detained at Phang-nga immigration checkpoint attempted to break out of their cells, demanding their release so they could perform a prayer on the occasion of Hari Raya.

The detained illegal migrants tried to break through the door of the building housing them, prompting Phang-nga Provincial Police Commander Chalit Thinthani to deploy about 100 riot policemen to control the situation.

Police Major General Chalit attempted to convince the Rohingyas to leave their detention building in groups of 5 to conduct prayers, to make it easy for officials to keep order. The chief Imam at Chamroensuk mosque in Mueang district of Phang-nga was also called in to help persuade the Rohingyas and to facilitate the religious prayers.

The negotiation did not bear fruit, however, and the Rohingyas continued their efforts to bring down the door, forcing officials to use their crowd dispersal procedure and splitting up the Rohingyas into groups of 45-50 people to be shuttled to nearby police stations for detention.

All the 261 Rohingyas have been detained at the Phang-nga immigration point for more than 9 months, and this fact is believed to have contributed to a build-up of stress.


-- NNT 2013-08-09

[Bluespunk]

What was the problem with letting them pray together. Don't muslims have to pray at a designated time to celebrate the end of ramadan? Something to do with the moon?

Edited August 9, 2013 by Bluespunk

[FarangTalk]

He said police fired water cannon through the gated front door to prevent the refugees, who are all men, leaving and "to calm them down".

Yes that always seems to calm down rioters.

have fled the former junta-ruled country

And ended up in another former junta-ruled country.

Those who arrived in Thailand have been "helped on" by the kingdom's navy towards Malaysia

An interesting phrase for depriving them of food and water, administering beatings on the beach and towing them out to sea and leaving them to die.

[Bluespunk]

"All the 261 Rohingyas have been detained at the Phang-nga immigration point for more than 9 months, and this fact is believed to have contributed to a build-up of stress."

No sh#t Sherlock.

[Redhawk]

Nice to see that the land of smile now confirms in public, that they are beating human rights with military boots, it gives me a feeling of security when begging for asylum being treated like an illegal, this coutry definitely runs into the wrong direction but arrogance, being irresponsible, being uneducated and some money were always a bad mix!

[Tywais]

Inflammatory/profanity post and reply removed. Keep it civil.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Massive improvement over the dark days of the Abhisit regime, when they were towed out to sea to let them die.

[asupeartea]

What is that scene from Platoon where the GIs are flying into Vn with really loud rock playing. Hmmm.... Perhaps that's the answer to calming down people who are fighting to worship on their holiest day of the year. Oh, that's right. Buddhist here might not even know that Eid exists much less is such an important day. Or care.

How would you feel after fasting all day during daylight hours for a month and then someone tells you can't celebrate and have a feast? I know I'd be a pretty unhappy camper.

Maybe move the holding/refugee/expulsion camps to Muslim areas of Thailand. At least they'd be withing earshot of calls to prayer.

[dcutman]

Massive improvement over the dark days of the Abhisit regime, when they were towed out to sea to let them die.

Lets try not forget, these people escaped being murdered in their own country, to be locked up for 9 months here in Thailand. I am guessing by now, after being imprisoned, many would much rather take their chances floating around at sea.

[webfact]

Rohingya riot north of Phuket pre-planned escape attempt, says Immigration
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The Rohingya refugees’ rebellion against their captivity during the Muslim holy day Eid-al Fitr yesterday was a pre-planned attempt to escape the facilities and leave Thailand, Phang Nga Immigration Police told the Phuket Gazette today.

“The refugees were convinced by visitors to protest and attempt to escape to another country,” Phang Nga Immigration Inspector Neti Khanboon said.

Lt Col Neti was unable to confirm or deny if the visitors who allegedly incited the unrest were part of human-trafficking gangs believed to be targeting the refugees (story here).

“We inspected the detention cells upstairs after the refugees were transferred to other centers yesterday,” Lt Col Neti explained. “The place was destroyed, with signs of damage to CCTV, toilets and the ceiling.

“We offered them more than enough food and took care of them. I don’t know what to say about what they just did,” he said.

Reports about the cramped conditions and the confinement of the refugees for an undetermined length of time led the Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Paveena Hongsakula, to visit the Phang Nga facilities last month.

After her visit, Ms Paveena declared the detention and trafficking of Rohingya through Thailand to be the subject of clear human rights issues and a national security threat (story here).

All the refugees have been transferred to other facilities due to the damage caused during the riot, Phang Nga Provincial Police Commander Chalit Kaewyarat told the Gazette.

“A lot of people living in the same small place can make them tense,” he said. “They simply wanted to leave Thailand, because they have been detained here for over six months.”

Police at Phang Nga Town, Thung Kangok, Takua Thung and Thap Put Police stations will take care of the refugees until repairs of the immigration detention center are finished, Maj Gen Chalit said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Rohingya-riot-north-of-Phuket-pre-planned-escape-attempt-says-Immigration-21907.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-08-09

[pgrahmm]

As much as "we" like to condemn the refusal to take these refugees it is a big problem for Thailand or any other country.....The funds to handle the situation is a concern certainly...one only has to loolk at the US under invasion from the Mexican side - the cost is huge in crime, innocent lives, welfare, social programs, and education for MANY that are innocent people bolting from one situation to another. A percentage of folks from Mexico are earnest about living and contibuting to a "better" life and the blessings that come with it.

The flip side is here - the Rohingyans also seek a better life but unlike others they are Muslims' and the track record for peaceful Muslim integration and societal/religious melding/peace is abysmal....going back centuries...there is no peace to be found for anyone. The current news story/situation solidifies that. These restless people are safer here (Thailand) than they are in their own country. Sympathy goes out to them but on the larger scale it is a very complex issue. Is there ANY doubt that Thailand would be better off without the problems of the south? None. These people are not happy to co-exist - if the initial ones are; they are followed by a more radicalized edition that "educates" in the mosques, - breeding grounds......Their movement does not care how many are slaughtered - or how many 100's of years it takes - it's been going on for over 800 years for God's sake...it's a slow - determined march and ultimately the failures - such as the Rohingyans are now suffering only serve to untimately spread a deadly doctrine ..... there is no winning position - send them back = slaughter....keep them = dissention/unrest/revolt/violence/ignorance and overthrow (going on now - kill the teachers and peaceful forward planners).......how does any country win?

I was taught a long time ago - NEVER-EVER- ACCEPT or invite trouble into your livingroom - that was good advice then ..... and it's good advice now - - if it were my choice - no matter how hard or heart wrenching it would be; I would make the decision best for MY country....in this case it is now Thailand and I'm glad I do not have to make the choices......

Edited August 9, 2013 by pgrahmm

[Briggsy]

There are many reports and accounts of the conditions both at the IDC and Thai prisons. One can only imagine how terrible the conditions are at these "Rohingya refugee camps".

[HuaHinHarold]

Massive improvement over the dark days of the Abhisit regime, when they were towed out to sea to let them die.

The fallacy of your misinformation is evident to anyone with even just a passing interest in the news.

Small sample:

Thailand pushes back 200 Rohingya boat people

January 30, 2013

Police turn back 145 sea-faring Rohingya

February 4, 2013

97 Rohingya die of hunger and starvation in the open sea

February 26, 2013

The Thai military, government, and the National Human Rights Commission have yet to respond to calls by international organisations asking Thailand to investigate into the alleged killing of Rohingya asylum seekers

March 21, 2013

All preceded by:

January 16, 2013 Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has promised that the Thai government will take care of Rohingya Muslims in accordance within humanitarian principles

http://news.abnxcess.com/2013/01/thai-government-will-take-care-of-rohingya-in-accordance-with-humanitarian-principles/

[Mudcrab]

towards Malaysia -- their destination of choice

and then on to Australia

[Cuban]

Are there many liberal Muslim majority countries coming forward to offer them asylum?

[Chao Lao Beach]

towards Malaysia -- their destination of choice

and then on to Australia

Via PNG

[simple1]

Are there many liberal Muslim majority countries coming forward to offer them asylum?

No, they are concerned about encouraging exodus of the Rohingya, who are stateless, to their countries. More to the point the majority of moderate Muslim majority countries are already flooded with hundreds of thousands of refugees e.g. Turkey, Jordan & Lebanon. In the region I understand only Cambodia & Philippines are signatories to UNHCR conventions.

Apparently their are 500k living in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan who were issued Bangladeshi passports years ago to escape from Burma. However the Bangladeshi government are now saying “Passports cannot be issued to any foreign national. We are trying to correct the mistake the then government of the country made,” she said." This is a consistant message that Rohingya are not accepted in Bangladesh with many being held for years in camps.

For more detail refer:

http://www.arabnews.com/news/458697

Edited August 9, 2013 by simple1

[Harry2]

Given the horrific level of Muslim terrorism in the South the very last thing Thailand needs in 1000's more violent Muslim thugs.

Muslims belong in Muslim countries and nowhere else - ship them off to Malaysia, Bangladesh, Saudi where they belong - if they want to blow people up it will only be their fellow Muslims.

[Steely Dan]

From the OP I note all 261 of the asylum seekers are male. Is that just a random chance, or don't the female Rohingyas feel it necessary to flee?

[simple1]

Given the horrific level of Muslim terrorism in the South the very last thing Thailand needs in 1000's more violent Muslim thugs.

Muslims belong in Muslim countries and nowhere else - ship them off to Malaysia, Bangladesh, Saudi where they belong - if they want to blow people up it will only be their fellow Muslims.

Your knowledge of the predicament of the Rohingya shines through. The Rohingya are a minority group within Myanmar. There is an estimated 800k in Myanmar who had their citizenship revoked in 1982. They have been systematically oppressed by the Burmese and the Bangladeshi governments for decades. The way forward would be for Myanmar & Bangladesh to cease the oppression & denial of basic human rights, restore their citizenship, provide access to education and the opportunity to live as normal human beings.

Edited August 9, 2013 by simple1

[Cuban]

From the OP I note all 261 of the asylum seekers are male. Is that just a random chance, or don't the female Rohingyas feel it necessary to flee?

Interesting, seems to be the common case when the true motivation is economic migration.

When fleeing tyranny a man's usual reaction to save their women and children, not leave them to it.

Funny that most of Europe's illegal immigration cases where they seek asylum is from men as well.

It would seem on the face of it that Western political correctness is not on the Thai political agenda, so will a Liberal Muslim country take them or not?

Is the Red Crescent stepping in and offering aid/assistance?

[Bagwan]

If they want to leave Thailand why not assist them on their way?

That they have been held in Thailand because no other country will take them maybe it is because those holding their religious beliefs have caused enough problems already.

[simple1]

From the OP I note all 261 of the asylum seekers are male. Is that just a random chance, or don't the female Rohingyas feel it necessary to flee?

Please stop your poisonous posts and get the minimum facts straight. Males and females are segregated into different detention centres by Thai authorities

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/stranded-06042013171404.html

[winstonc]

What is that scene from Platoon where the GIs are flying into Vn with really loud rock playing. Hmmm.... Perhaps that's the answer to calming down people who are fighting to worship on their holiest day of the year. Oh, that's right. Buddhist here might not even know that Eid exists much less is such an important day. Or care.

How would you feel after fasting all day during daylight hours for a month and then someone tells you can't celebrate and have a feast? I know I'd be a pretty unhappy camper.

Maybe move the holding/refugee/expulsion camps to Muslim areas of Thailand. At least they'd be withing earshot of calls to prayer.

loads of muslims in phang-nga,i just moved from there kokkloi,,

[falkan]

send them back to Bangladesh, they not from Burma, they not even speak burmese!

[simple1]

send them back to Bangladesh, they not from Burma, they not even speak burmese!

That's going to be a problem as the Bangladeshi government has refused to resettle Rohingya from Myanmar; also it's ethnic cleansing which is internationally recognised as a crime against humanity. In Bangladesh there are 30,000 UNHCR registered Rohingya refugees, plus an estimated 200,000 unregistered.

[FarangTalk]

As much as "we" like to condemn the refusal to take these refugees it is a big problem for Thailand or any other country.....The funds to handle the situation is a concern certainly...one only has to loolk at the US under invasion from the Mexican side - the cost is huge in crime, innocent lives, welfare, social programs, and education for MANY that are innocent people bolting from one situation to another. A percentage of folks from Mexico are earnest about living and contibuting to a "better" life and the blessings that come with it.

The flip side is here - the Rohingyans also seek a better life but unlike others they are Muslims' and the track record for peaceful Muslim integration and societal/religious melding/peace is abysmal....going back centuries...there is no peace to be found for anyone. The current news story/situation solidifies that. These restless people are safer here (Thailand) than they are in their own country. Sympathy goes out to them but on the larger scale it is a very complex issue. Is there ANY doubt that Thailand would be better off without the problems of the south? None. These people are not happy to co-exist - if the initial ones are; they are followed by a more radicalized edition that "educates" in the mosques, - breeding grounds......Their movement does not care how many are slaughtered - or how many 100's of years it takes - it's been going on for over 800 years for God's sake...it's a slow - determined march and ultimately the failures - such as the Rohingyans are now suffering only serve to untimately spread a deadly doctrine ..... there is no winning position - send them back = slaughter....keep them = dissention/unrest/revolt/violence/ignorance and overthrow (going on now - kill the teachers and peaceful forward planners).......how does any country win?

I was taught a long time ago - NEVER-EVER- ACCEPT or invite trouble into your livingroom - that was good advice then ..... and it's good advice now - - if it were my choice - no matter how hard or heart wrenching it would be; I would make the decision best for MY country....in this case it is now Thailand and I'm glad I do not have to make the choices......

The problem is that the South is not a Thai living room.

It is traditionally a Muslim Malay area that the Thais claim sovereignty over.

It is the Thais continual repression of the local culture, language and customs that has led us to where we are today.

[Cuban]

The problem is that the South is not a Thai living room.

It is traditionally a Muslim Malay area that the Thais claim sovereignty over.

It is the Thais continual repression of the local culture, language and customs that has led us to where we are today.

...and Malaysia is offering asylum to these people? Then why not? There is a reason.

The "South" is Thailand, the reasoning is the same the world over, at some point in history army A was more powerful than army B.

You can not go around arbitrary reassigning national boarders just because it suits your view of how the world can live in peace. There is the question about access to resources and shipping ports among a host of other issues.

The cold hard truth is that life is a competition, for some cultures their integration into the modern world or to live alongside others is not viable. In the animal world it's called extinction, it happens all the time and has done since the first chemical sludge twitched into life.

Where are the Nazca? The Mayan are no longer around to sort out their calendar. even the Romans left only buildings, roads and art and are no longer a world power.

This feels like another small culture that is not viable in a modern human world.

Find a small island somewhere or make an effort to integrate - otherwise the world does not want you.