Boat carrying 450 Rohingya migrants in international waters

[Thaivisa News]

Satun: - The Navy and provincial authorities are monitoring the boat carrying 450 Rohingya migrants and drifting in international waters close to Malaysia’s Langkawi Island and Satun coast.

The migrant boat was first spotted last week drifting due to engine failure some 17 nautical miles off Klang Island, Satun.

The Navy assisted in the engine repair and Satun governor Detrat Simsiri organised the provincial charity organisations to send food, water and medicines for the migrants.

On Thursday, the boat left Thailand’s territorial waters heading toward Malaysia or Indonesia.

As of yesterday, the provincial authorities said they still found the boat prying international waters as Malaysia and Indonesia apparently refused to grant permission for landing.

They said the boat was floating somewhere close to Langkawi Island in Malaysia, located not far from Satun’s Lipe Island.

The Navy is keeping a close watch over the boat movement. The private sector and the charity organisations in Satun’s Langu district have launched a campaign to solicit relief supplies for the migrants.

The authorities said the boat had several children and sick people.

The provincial administration is preparing contingency plans should the boat be allowed to re-enter Thai territorial waters.

Presently, the boat is low on supplies and remains adrift in international waters as no countries would allow entry.

On Thursday and Friday, Malaysian and Indonesian authorities had respectively turned away the boat.

International news reports estimated the number of Rohingya migrants on the boat at around 300. But the provincial authorities quoted the Navy sources involved in boat repair as saying the number should be around 450.

[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!

[Old Man River]

The Rohingya did not receive false promises of a better life from Thai's. Although they are from the Rakhine State in Myanmar, Myanmar has refused to count them in their most recent census. Rohingya are Muslim speaking. Reportedly, human traffickers have been telling them that better lives exist in other Muslim speaking countries in SE Asia. Thailand is not considered a Muslim speaking country.

Thailand is a link in the chain. Thanks to the current government, Thai human traffickers involved in the chain are being caught and punished.

The issue of what to do with those currently at sea and more that will come is a separate issue altogether. This is an international issue not a Thai issue.

What is your solution?

[graemeaylward]

But it was hundreds of Thais who sold these people into slavery, or demanded ransom money from relatives or were paid to turn a blind eye. This therefore encouraged the Myanmar end of the chain to encourage these poor stateless Rohingya Moslems to make the journey. Yes, it is a multi national problem and each nation should do it's part. Thailand, whilst a Buddhist country, is also multicultural and could provide a home for those less fortunate people. My solution would be to help those currently at sea to come ashore and receive help and assistance whether they be Moslems, Hindus, Christians or atheist, thus showing the human love and compassion for humankind that the Lord Buddha promulgated. Allow 28 days for this to happen and then close all the loopholes, notifying Myanmar and stateless Rohingyas that they will no longer be accepted after that time. Other ASEAN nations should do the same. If Thailand made the first move it would perhaps show some remorse for all those slaves on board Thai fishing boats, all those held as prisoners by Thais in transit camps, all those who have died either at sea or in camps, and all those who have been sold into the sex trade. Come on Thailand show how sorry and how strong you really are, please.

[Old Man River]

Thailand has been taking in Burmese refugees for many years. I don't know how valid these numbers are, but it has been estimated that Thailand has already taken in approx. 150,000 refugees from Burma (living in refugee camps along the border).

Currently, it has also been estimated that 6,500-7,000 Rohingya are on the water with 250,000-300,000 still living in the Rakhine state. I don't know how this will end up, but this is not a small problem and Thailand has been the one helping out for many years.

[Local Drunk]

The Rohingya did not receive false promises of a better life from Thai's. Although they are from the Rakhine State in Myanmar, Myanmar has refused to count them in their most recent census. Rohingya are Muslim speaking. Reportedly, human traffickers have been telling them that better lives exist in other Muslim speaking countries in SE Asia. Thailand is not considered a Muslim speaking country.

Thailand is a link in the chain. Thanks to the current government, Thai human traffickers involved in the chain are being caught and punished.

The issue of what to do with those currently at sea and more that will come is a separate issue altogether. This is an international issue not a Thai issue.

What is your solution?

I don't think that either of us could say with any accuracy that the Rohingyas didn't receive a promise of a better life for their payments of transport from Thai traffickers. To say so would all be speculation, conjuncture or at best anecdotal to say the least. To say that they did not receive that promise would suggest that you or I interviewed every trafficker or Rohingya came ashore; or every agent in Myanmar that took money for their passage. I hope I don't sound too harsh, I applaud the arrests so far... but feel they are only scratching the surface.

[Old Man River]

Such is the nature of human traffickers; lies and deceit.

Perhaps the current government is scratching the surface, but this is a machine which is not easily dismantled. If given time, PM Prayuth can greatly damage the traffic flow through Thailand. If not, it will most likely return to business as usual.

It is amazing how people lose sight of Myanmar and Malaysia's involvement and wait for Thailand only.

Those on the water do need help and perhaps Graemeaylward's suggestion of a time limit on acceptance is the way to go.

[philw]

The Rohingya did not receive false promises of a better life from Thai's. Although they are from the Rakhine State in Myanmar, Myanmar has refused to count them in their most recent census. Rohingya are Muslim speaking. Reportedly, human traffickers have been telling them that better lives exist in other Muslim speaking countries in SE Asia. Thailand is not considered a Muslim speaking country.

Thailand is a link in the chain. Thanks to the current government, Thai human traffickers involved in the chain are being caught and punished.

The issue of what to do with those currently at sea and more that will come is a separate issue altogether. This is an international issue not a Thai issue.

What is your solution?

What is "Muslim speaking " ???

Of course it's a Thai issue when uniformed Thai authorities push people out to sea in unseaworthy vessels , to their death.

[philw]

But it was hundreds of Thais who sold these people into slavery, or demanded ransom money from relatives or were paid to turn a blind eye. This therefore encouraged the Myanmar end of the chain to encourage these poor stateless Rohingya Moslems to make the journey. Yes, it is a multi national problem and each nation should do it's part. Thailand, whilst a Buddhist country, is also multicultural and could provide a home for those less fortunate people. My solution would be to help those currently at sea to come ashore and receive help and assistance whether they be Moslems, Hindus, Christians or atheist, thus showing the human love and compassion for humankind that the Lord Buddha promulgated. Allow 28 days for this to happen and then close all the loopholes, notifying Myanmar and stateless Rohingyas that they will no longer be accepted after that time. Other ASEAN nations should do the same. If Thailand made the first move it would perhaps show some remorse for all those slaves on board Thai fishing boats, all those held as prisoners by Thais in transit camps, all those who have died either at sea or in camps, and all those who have been sold into the sex trade. Come on Thailand show how sorry and how strong you really are, please.

Good stuff and spot on !

[Colabamumbai]

Thailand is disgusting, there is no reason not to allow the boat refuges to land. Thailand should welcome them and then relocate/repatriate them.

Look at the respect Thailand would gain in the international community.

As a foreigner living in Thailand may I offer my apologies on behalf of the Thai Government for their paranoia and nearsightedness. There is no excuse.

It embarasses me to live here.

[RigPig]

But it was hundreds of Thais who sold these people into slavery, or demanded ransom money from relatives or were paid to turn a blind eye. This therefore encouraged the Myanmar end of the chain to encourage these poor stateless Rohingya Moslems to make the journey. Yes, it is a multi national problem and each nation should do it's part. Thailand, whilst a Buddhist country, is also multicultural and could provide a home for those less fortunate people. My solution would be to help those currently at sea to come ashore and receive help and assistance whether they be Moslems, Hindus, Christians or atheist, thus showing the human love and compassion for humankind that the Lord Buddha promulgated. Allow 28 days for this to happen and then close all the loopholes, notifying Myanmar and stateless Rohingyas that they will no longer be accepted after that time. Other ASEAN nations should do the same. If Thailand made the first move it would perhaps show some remorse for all those slaves on board Thai fishing boats, all those held as prisoners by Thais in transit camps, all those who have died either at sea or in camps, and all those who have been sold into the sex trade. Come on Thailand show how sorry and how strong you really are, please.

The problem is here, as it is elsewhere, what do you do with them? Thailand hasn´t got the infrastructure to support them.

I am not condoning anything that has been done by anyone who has profited from these peoples plight. But accepting these people will cause another problem. Look at Australia and what is happening in the Meditereanian sea. These countries haven´t gotthe answer either. Isn´t this wht the UN was formed for?

[mikeinbangkok]

Thailand is disgusting, there is no reason not to allow the boat refuges to land. Thailand should welcome them and then relocate/repatriate them.

Look at the respect Thailand would gain in the international community.

As a foreigner living in Thailand may I offer my apologies on behalf of the Thai Government for their paranoia and nearsightedness. There is no excuse.

It embarasses me to live here.

Do you know how many refugees Australia has pushed back? If you only take numbers, Thailand as a comparison, Thailand has taken more Burmese refugees and are sheltering them than Australia has in all categories. Australia has an agreement with Indonesia to take those boat people in rather than allow them to and on Australia soil.

Do some research before embarrassing yourself!

[emilymat]

All of this is so depressing.

My only contribution is that whether these refugees are coming from north Africa to Europe or from Burma to Thailand they must have been given major bull..it by the traffickers, prior to setting out,

This was bought home to me when a refugee, pulled out of the water by the Italians, was asked why he risked his life on the voyage.

"They told me I could go to Oxford University" was his reply in broken English. Could be seen as funny, but very sad.

[149er]

The problem is back in Myanmar and Bangladesh. They are the parties who must be pressured to accept the Rohingyas. The Rohingyas should be protected but not by giving mass asylum.

[Thaiwine]

If the UN have a chat with all the other Muslim countries I would think somewhere could be found for these people

even if it took a little aid to help grease the wheels

Maybe not all in the same country but some could be resettled here and there

as for those from Bangladesh just send them back home

[lemonjelly]

Thailand or Malaysia could easily accommodate these 450 people, and as from now step up naval patrols to turn any future boats back into Burmese waters.

[Ulic]

The Rohingya did not receive false promises of a better life from Thai's. Although they are from the Rakhine State in Myanmar, Myanmar has refused to count them in their most recent census. Rohingya are Muslim speaking. Reportedly, human traffickers have been telling them that better lives exist in other Muslim speaking countries in SE Asia. Thailand is not considered a Muslim speaking country.

Thailand is a link in the chain. Thanks to the current government, Thai human traffickers involved in the chain are being caught and punished.

The issue of what to do with those currently at sea and more that will come is a separate issue altogether. This is an international issue not a Thai issue.

What is your solution?

The Rohingya speak a dialect of Bangladeshi. They left Bangladesh decades ago if not longer. neither

Burma or Bangladesh recognize them as citizens. What people have to understand is not all countries

recognize citizenship as from a right of birth. Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar etc. require one parent

be a citizen to claim citizenship. Thus while the Rohingya may have been generations in Burma

they have never been accepted. Not speaking Burmese and being Muslim probably has not helped

them assimilate. They want no part of Thailand, and there first choice is Malaysia as a wealthier

country, second choice Indonesia. Malaysia has taken tens if not hundreds of thousands of these

migrants over the years. That is why they travel there. Others have been successful.

[Guest]

general payuth has nothing to answer for and my advice would be to not allow muslims into thailand in any form

[mikeinbangkok]

Thailand is disgusting, there is no reason not to allow the boat refuges to land. Thailand should welcome them and then relocate/repatriate them.

Look at the respect Thailand would gain in the international community.

As a foreigner living in Thailand may I offer my apologies on behalf of the Thai Government for their paranoia and nearsightedness. There is no excuse.

It embarasses me to live here.

Colabamumbai, We all have choices. Hopefully you too, hence you have opted to live in Thailand instead of your home country. People who have choices do not need to be accept the unacceptable and tolerate "Disgusting" behaviour of others as you mention about Thailands stand. As a foreigner, you do not need to be apologetic for Thailand as you do not have obligations, besides the fact that you seem to have some benefits of moving to Thailand.

So Colambamumbai, I suggest, you go back to your home country where you will not be disgusted. You don't need to undergo this "Embarrassment" that you state you are going through on behalf of an unrespectful, disgusting country where you have chosen to relocate to. Make your choice!

[dcutman]

general payuth has nothing to answer for and my advice would be to not allow muslims into thailand in any form

Yeh but, who will replace them to be the slave labor in the fishing industry?

[bangon04]

It's at times like these that Thailand really needs a submarine - could sink them while still in international waters and claim they know nothing about it.....

[lemonjelly]

general payuth has nothing to answer for and my advice would be to not allow muslims into thailand in any form

Because they're muslims?

Is racism now tolerated on this forum?.... Mods?

[boomerangutang]

there are no good solutions, but here are some suggestions:

>>> Encourage Myanmar to do what they can to grant citizenship to Rohinga.

>>> Get the Burmese and Bangladeshis to patrol their own shores, and tow migrant boats back to shore.

>>> For stranded boats, arrest traffickers. Then give water and food to passengers, then fuel up the engine and force the boat back to where it came from, with armed guards on-board, if needed.l, and make sure they head back to Burma or Bangladesh, with Navy escort and/or tow.

When offloaded, boats - or bring boats on to land, turn 'em over, and use for shelter.

[pitchag]

The Rohingya did not receive false promises of a better life from Thai's. Although they are from the Rakhine State in Myanmar, Myanmar has refused to count them in their most recent census. Rohingya are Muslim speaking. Reportedly, human traffickers have been telling them that better lives exist in other Muslim speaking countries in SE Asia. Thailand is not considered a Muslim speaking country.

Thailand is a link in the chain. Thanks to the current government, Thai human traffickers involved in the chain are being caught and punished.

The issue of what to do with those currently at sea and more that will come is a separate issue altogether. This is an international issue not a Thai issue.

What is your solution?

I don't think there is a specific Muslim language it's a religion not a race and the different sects of Muslims hate each other to the point of trying to wipe each other out, Thailand is a Buddhist country not the best place to settle for Muslims

[149er]

[Old Man River]

The Rohingya did not receive false promises of a better life from Thai's. Although they are from the Rakhine State in Myanmar, Myanmar has refused to count them in their most recent census. Rohingya are Muslim speaking. Reportedly, human traffickers have been telling them that better lives exist in other Muslim speaking countries in SE Asia. Thailand is not considered a Muslim speaking country.

Thailand is a link in the chain. Thanks to the current government, Thai human traffickers involved in the chain are being caught and punished.

The issue of what to do with those currently at sea and more that will come is a separate issue altogether. This is an international issue not a Thai issue.

What is your solution?

What is "Muslim speaking " ???

Of course it's a Thai issue when uniformed Thai authorities push people out to sea in unseaworthy vessels , to their death.

Google Muslim speakers. You will get many links. Some of them should be able to help you.

The Rohingya on the water are Myanmar's problem, Thailand's problem, Malaysia's problem and Indonesia's problem, and is a situation exacerbated by economic threats from the U.S. to crackdown on human trafficking leaving the Rohingya with nowhere to go.

Said another way, this is an international problem which needs to be addressed urgently.

[useronthenet]

The west should levy far more pressure on those countries which refuse to give help to the helpless. The are human beings, and as such have basic rights. If they push them out to sea when clearly they need help, then they must accept responsibility if something should happen to them.

I see sanctions coming ....

[149er]

A not well to do THAI senior citizen or a disable person gets from the state 500.-/ month to help make their ends meet.

To look after a REFUGEE is about 75thb/day = 2,250Thb./month minimum.

Yeah, that's right, put more burden on the Thai people.

[Guest]

general payuth has nothing to answer for and my advice would be to not allow muslims into thailand in any form

Because they're muslims?

Is racism now tolerated on this forum?.... Mods?

i thought muslims were a religion not a race get it right

[dageurreotype]

Well, the 'pushing back out to sea's never worked. I suggest a drone or several. POWWWWWW!!!! EU take note.