Govt 'will help solve crisis'

[Lite Beer]

ROHINGYA
Govt 'will help solve crisis'
THE SUNDAY NATION, AGENCIES

BANGKOK: -- US urges Thailand to consider sheltering the Rohingya but Sansern voices security concerns

THE GOVERNMENT yesterday confirmed its readiness to work with the international community in solving the problem of boat people from Myanmar and Bangladesh.

However, deputy government spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd rejected a proposal for Thailand to set up shelters for such illegal migrants. He cited security concerns and possible violations of the law.

Earlier, the United States urged Thailand to consider sheltering stateless Rohingya Muslims who have fled Myanmar and are adrift in boats in the Indian Ocean. The US also asked countries in the region not to send these people back to sea.

US Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the plight of the refugees by phone with Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn late on Thursday, Reuters reported.

"The secretary called his Thai counterpart to discuss the situation of migrants in the Andaman Sea and to discuss the possibility of Thailand providing temporary shelter," State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke told reporters.

The Thai government will host an international conference on unusual migration in the Indian Ocean on May 29 in Bangkok, Sansern said yesterday.

He said senior officials from 15 countries affected by the problem of unusual migration would be invited to take part in the conference. These include Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Bangladesh.

The US and international organisations like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) would also be invited as observers at the meeting, the spokesman said.

Sansern said that Thailand has helped the migrants on humanitarian grounds while having to deal with related security issues.

He said all the problems should be tackled at their root cause, to prevent people taking such journeys on boats in the Andaman.

"Thailand has a clear standpoint of coordinating with the international community in attempting to solve this problem," he said.

"We have always helped illegal migrants on humanitarian grounds. But the government also needs to protect our people. We have no policy of allowing migrants to settle in Thailand."

He said setting up shelters and finding work for illegal migrants was not the right solution to the problem. "That way, the problem is not solved at its root cause. A sensible solution is for responsible international organisations to take care of those people at countries of origin, in order to prevent them from moving to other countries," he said.

In Phang-nga province, UNHCR officials yesterday went to provide initial relief to 106 Rohingya people, abandoned earlier on islands in Kura Buri district, and get information about them in a bid to try to help them be resettled in a third country.

The 106 Rohingya people were rounded up on Thursday by the Royal Thai Navy and forwarded to the Phang Nga Immigration Office. A total of 25 children and women were sent to the Phang Nga Children and Family Home.

UNHCR looks at resettling Rohingya

UNHCR official Serg Burtomio said the agency had worked with the Thai government in helping the Rohingya for two years and so far the trafficked migrants could be divided into Bangladeshi and Rohingya, so the aid differed.

While Bangladeshis could be sent back to their country, the Rohingya were in a tricky position and in need of temporary protection. Hence, the agency and the Thai government had helped send 65 of them, so far, to a third country and was considering doing the same for many more.

Thousands of Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar via Bangladesh are stranded on boats as regional governments block them from landing.

The State Department's Rathke said nearly 3,000 migrants had landed in Indonesia and Malaysia this week and were receiving help. He said US ambassadors were "intensely engaged" with governments about mounting a rapid humanitarian response.

"We urge the governments of the region to work together quickly, first and foremost, to save the lives of migrants now at sea who are in need of an immediate rescue effort," Rathke said. "We urge governments in the region to refrain from pushbacks of new boat arrivals."

Many of the boat people are Rohingya, a minority in Myanmar's Rakhine state, that the United Nations has described as one of the most persecuted groups in the world.

White House spokesman Eric Schultz said Washington continued to raise its concerns with Myanmar over migrants that are fleeing "because of dire humanitarian and economic situations they face at home out of fear of ethnic and religious violence".

Malaysian vessels yesterday intercepted a boat crammed with migrants after the Thai navy towed it away from Thailand - the latest of a number of vessels pushed back to sea by governments ignoring the UN's call for an immediate rescue.

Thousands of people are adrift in the Andaman Sea after smugglers abandoned their vessels following the Thai crackdown on human trafficking. Many of the migrants are thirsty and sick.

Migrants aboard the vessel were visibly distressed on the packed deck under a blazing sun, a Reuters witness said. Women were crying and some waved their arms and shouted.

The boat had been towed back to sea by the Thai navy twice after drifting for days. On both occasions, the navy fixed its engine and supplied it with food, water and fuel before towing it out of Thai waters.

The migrants told the Thai navy yesterday they wanted to go to Malaysia, the officer on a patrol boat told Reuters. "We fixed their engine and showed them where Malaysia is," the officer said.

After, the boat entered Malaysian waters, where it was intercepted, he said. He declined to give his name.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Govt-will-help-solve-crisis-30260275.html

-- The Nation 2015-05-17

[Praematura]

I'm American and Kerry and the USA needs to focus on other things. We don't need to have our nose in everyone's business all the time.

[NongKhaiKid]

We're from the Thai government and we're here to help.

[graemeaylward]

Thailand as much as Myanmar, is responsible for this crisis. It is Thai traffickers and slave traders who have exploited the stateless Rohingya people with false promises and a network of officials who have been "paid off" to allow the trade of seeking people into bondage to continue. It is Thai officials who have been transferred, Thai people who have been arrested. And yet the Thai government refuses to accept their culpability and turns their victims, back into the open sea without a hint of compassion or a sense of guilt! I am sure that those dying on boats are pleased that there will be a conference in 2 weeks time! They need help now! Gen Prayuth, wake up to your responsibilities and make a name for yourself on the world stage as a humanitarian leader!

[BSJ]

"The migrants told the Thai navy yesterday they wanted to go to Malaysia, the officer on a patrol boat told Reuters. "We fixed their engine and showed them where Malaysia is," the officer said." They are so helpful those navy guys. Water, food, fix the engine and directions on how to visit Malaysia. Twice!

[than]

Why US don't accept this migrant ? Why US fortified is border with southern america country ? Why USCG reject in sea Cuban migrant ?

I think US not have lesson to give Thailand and ASEAN about this.

The problem should be solve by Myanmar

[oneday]

Why US don't accept this migrant ? Why US fortified is border with southern america country ? Why USCG reject in sea Cuban migrant ?

I think US not have lesson to give Thailand and ASEAN about this.

The problem should be solve by Myanmar

You my friend...have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

Why in heck do you think Miami and much of Florida has a huge population of Cubans, because we did take them in; 1000's and 1000's of them. We also took in the Vietnamese boat people. If your country (whichever wonderful country that is) is not also requesting Thailand and the other countries to help then YOUR country is abdicating its responsibility to humanity.

[Oziex1]

The thing that I see here is now the illegal money has gone, no country wants these people.

SE Asia's shame cant exploit them don't wan't them.

[phoenixdoglover]

Bangladesh: We don't want you; we are so poor, we can barely take care of ourselves.

Myanmar: We don't want you. Even though you were born here, you are not welcome. You should leave.

Thailand: We don't want you any more. Here's some water and a can of fuel. Buzz off.

Malaysia and Indonesia: Welcome to the refugee camp. It's marginally better than the boat.

[Tchooptip]

"He said senior officials from 15 countries affected by the problem of unusual migration would be invited to take part in the conference. These include Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Bangladesh."

He could have invited Italy too

[149er]

Thailand has been battling Islamist insurgency in its south for decades, wouldn't be a good idea to bring in more Muslims. Plus, the country already has a long history of dealing with unwanted migrants fleeing conflicts in Cambodia and Vietnam, don't think it has desires to repeat that again.

Thailand at least provided food, water, medicine, fuel, fix the engine ... and a map to the nearest Muslim country - Syria!

Where's UN, UNHCR, G8 or Allah in all this?

Edited May 17, 2015 by 149er

[Oziex1]

"Where's UN, UNHCR, G8 or Allah?"

They are too far away, or just a figment of the imagination of the gullible.

SE Asian countries including Thailand are close enough to help, why don't they?

[djjamie]

I certainly feel for the plight of these people and hope the joint nations with the guidance of UNHCR can come to a formidable arrangement where they all share the responsibility of allowing refugee status for them.

The Thai government have made some wonderful progress in it's short time in office and I am sure they will be tolerant and sensitive to this latest challenge facing them.

The key is engaging dialogue with joint stakeholders and NGO's to devise a way forward that will not disadvantage any one particular nations involved.

[Ulic]

The Thai crackdown on human trafficking and the law of unintended consequences.

[Srikcir]

"But the government also needs to protect our people."

You have to appreciate that the Thai military is entirely occupied with its subjugation of 60 million Thais and 4 million Malay-Thais. It doesn't have the resources to control illegals as well.

[SoilSpoil]

Thailand and its human traffickers are as much responsible to this as the Burmese traffickers. These people were abducted, extorted and sold into slavery right under the noses of the local police and authorities. Once this scam was exposed and no more money could be made it became a problem. So Thailand take your responsibility and give these people shelter.

[Srikcir]

Now Thailand has become the Hub of Inhumanity

[than]

Why US don't accept this migrant ? Why US fortified is border with southern america country ? Why USCG reject in sea Cuban migrant ?

I think US not have lesson to give Thailand and ASEAN about this.

The problem should be solve by Myanmar

You my friend...have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

Why in heck do you think Miami and much of Florida has a huge population of Cubans, because we did take them in; 1000's and 1000's of them. We also took in the Vietnamese boat people. If your country (whichever wonderful country that is) is not also requesting Thailand and the other countries to help then YOUR country is abdicating its responsibility to humanity.

USGC rules : All immigrant caught at sea are sent back to their source........

It's not my rules but US rules..... tell this to all Cuban who US government refuse asylum.........

US rules for cuban : "Wet foot, Dry foot" policy, a Cuban caught on the waters between the two nations (with "wet feet") would summarily be sent home or to a third country. One who makes it to shore ("dry feet") gets a chance to remain in the United States, and later would qualify for expedited "legal permanent resident" status and eventually U.S. citizenship.

Edited May 17, 2015 by than

[oneday]

Why US don't accept this migrant ? Why US fortified is border with southern america country ? Why USCG reject in sea Cuban migrant ?

I think US not have lesson to give Thailand and ASEAN about this.

The problem should be solve by Myanmar

You my friend...have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

Why in heck do you think Miami and much of Florida has a huge population of Cubans, because we did take them in; 1000's and 1000's of them. We also took in the Vietnamese boat people. If your country (whichever wonderful country that is) is not also requesting Thailand and the other countries to help then YOUR country is abdicating its responsibility to humanity.

USGC rules : All immigrant caught at sea are sent back to their source........

It's not my rules but US rules..... tell this to all Cuban who US government refuse asylum.........

US rules for cuban : "Wet foot, Dry foot" policy, a Cuban caught on the waters between the two nations (with "wet feet") would summarily be sent home or to a third country. One who makes it to shore ("dry feet") gets a chance to remain in the United States, and later would qualify for expedited "legal permanent resident" status and eventually U.S. citizenship.

You my friend, STILL don’t have a clue as to what you are talking about.

The situation with what Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar are doing to these boat people doesn’t even come close to comparing to what the US does with Cubans they find at sea. Read this carefully to find out the COMPLETE truth of the Dry foot, Wet foot policy.

“The United States agreed to no longer permit Cubans intercepted at sea to come to the United States; rather, Cubans would be placed in a safe haven camp in a third location. Justifying this policy as a "safety of life at sea" issue, Cuba also agreed to use "persuasive methods" to discourage people from setting sail.”

Do a search on the following and see what is happening with the latest Cubans found at sea.

“38 Cuban migrants intercepted last month”

These refugees are SAFE and being fed and cared for and all we are trying to do is return them to Cuba which is a damn site more than Thailand or any of these other southeast Asian countries are doing.

When you want to spout off then do a complete job of research. I know my country and though we don’t want people coming into America without following the rules we don’t send people back out to sea to die.

I’ve said it a hundred times. America isn’t perfect and no country is including yours, but we (the people) try to always do the right thing. We don’t always succeed, but we try. Let me ask you this, why is it so many people want to come to America if we are such a horrible country and I’m here to tell you hundreds of thousands of people want to be in America. Do you see people clamoring to get into China, Iran, North Korea, Myanmar, Syria and dozens more? Save your criticism for truly evil governments.

People like you, and there are many on TV, just hate America and nothing will change how you feel about America.

[wabothai]

happiness? Only for Thai. F..... the rest

[149er]

Thailand should generously offer to rent a cruise liner to take them to Hawaii or some open hearted country who will take them.