Handling of Rohingya issue was embarrassing

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
Handling of Rohingya issue was embarrassing
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Things are better, but it's time Thailand tackled the trafficking and boat people problem with sincerity

Things appear to be moving in the right direction with regard to the plight of the Rohingya boat people.

But it took Thailand some time before the government came to this juncture. Indeed, it was somewhat embarrassing to see Thailand dragging its feet even after Malaysia and Indonesia made sharp U-turns on their policies on the Rohingya boat people.

At first, everybody was pushing them back. Food, water and fuel were given to the migrants before they were pushed back into international waters where uncertainties awaited.

Embarrassed by the publicity, Thai officials along the Andaman coast obstructed the work of local and international media by ordering local boat owners not rent their services to foreign and local reporters for fear their reports would tarnish the country's reputation.

But they don't seem to understand that pushing people back to sea - especially people fleeing persecution - was utterly unacceptable by today's norms.

For the sake of Thailand and for the sake of humanity, this is something that has to be exposed.

With decades of experience working with refugees from neighbouring countries, we would think that our government officials would be among the world's leading experts on this issue.

So in this respect, it is fair to ask why did they behave like a bunch of young and inexperience officials? Were they afraid of upsetting the

generals, perhaps?

But when you have a leader who likes to shoot from the hip, it's difficult to be too assertive.

Last Thursday Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha stated: "Anyone who supports this idea of accepting boat people, please contribute Bt1 a day or take them to your home." He also said that people who disagreed with him should change places with the Rohingya.

These were the words of a leader of a country. 'Embarrassment' is an understatement, indeed.

In its capacity as the chair of Asean, Malaysia recently held a high-level meeting with Indonesia and announced a plan to provide refuge to the Rohingya, about 8,000 of whom had been floating on the high seas for weeks and months until the region's governments changed their positions.

Missing from the meeting in Kuala Lumpur meeting was Thailand. Our flag was there but nobody was sitting at the table for the subsequent media conference.

Former foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan was on the money when he said that Thailand should use the Rohingya crisis to its advantage and rid itself of the human trafficking stigma.

It's easier said than done, of course, especially when so many government officials benefit from the trade.

From the people who man the border and get paid to turn a blind eye, to the jailers who resell the victims back to the traffickers, to the security units on the ground whose outposts are often a stone's throw from the illegal camps housing migrant captives until their families pay their debts, this is a very comprehensive arrangement. Real political will is needed to penetrate this ring and bring an end to this stigma that has tarnish Thailand's international standing.

Bangkok is hosting a high-level meeting on the issue next Friday and Myanmar has finally accepted the invitation. It's not too late to come up with a more meaningful position, one that shows Thailand cares and means business when it comes to its commitment to international norms and practices in relation to refugees fleeing persecution.

Moreover, the US Trafficking in Persons Report will come out in a matter of weeks and the verdict is still out as to whether the European Union will give us a red card over allegations of illegal fishing and human rights violations on the high seas.

But we still have time to act. Arresting a few people and boasting about how many shady officials you transfer is not enough. The world needs to know what Bangkok's future position on this humanitarian crisis is.

We can blame Thai society's racist attitude for influencing our policy on the Rohingya. But surely there are some officials out there who know, deep in their heart, what the right course of action is.

They should know that whatever action we take now will define us as a nation for generations to come.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Handling-of-Rohingya-issue-was-embarrassing-30260814.html

-- The Nation 2015-05-24

[whatawonderfulday]

Only embarrassing because the rest of the world found out about Thai deceitfulness and lack of human decency by the Thai military and the elite supporting the traffickers. Until then no one in Thailand gave a toss because it was just another income stream. Buddhism is great. Burma's Buddhist persecute them so that the are desperate to leave and then Thai Buddhists, sell them, rape them and generally treat them worse then animals.

Edited May 23, 2015 by whatawonderfulday

[noitom]

Thailand is certainly an embarrassment an illustrating clearly how inept they are as well as being like a depraved heart nation.

[noitom]

Only embarrassing because the rest of the world found out about Thai deceitfulness and lack of human decency by the Thai military and the elite supporting the traffickers. Until then no one in Thailand gave a toss because it was just another income stream. Buddhism is great. Burma's Buddhist persecute them so that the are desperate to leave and then Thai Buddhists, sell them, rape them and generally treat them worse then animals.

Excellent points.

[Credo]

The current situation in Thailand is not too far off from the slave trade in Africa several hundred years ago. All levels of gov't were involved, complicit and profited from the trade. People were killed and sold.

Now we see the gov'ts further attempt to cover up the problem by not renting boats to foreigners because the country's image might get tarnished.

The image is tarnished and rightfully so.

[Robby nz]

Another one who fails to recognize that these people are not all Rohingya, indeed it would now seem that the majority are from Bangladesh and are on these boats because of promises of jobs and a better life.

Sure the ones at sea must be found to save their lives, but where to from there, can Thailand really be expected to just take them in ?

They have all been taken advantage of by criminals and the priority should be to go after those criminals whoever they are and make sure this can never happen again.

Forget window dressing that makes it look nice for the UN, US or anyone else, what they think should be the last consideration.

[BSJ]

Ship em all back from whence they came ASAP.

[simple1]

Another one who fails to recognize that these people are not all Rohingya, indeed it would now seem that the majority are from Bangladesh and are on these boats because of promises of jobs and a better life.

Sure the ones at sea must be found to save their lives, but where to from there, can Thailand really be expected to just take them in ?

They have all been taken advantage of by criminals and the priority should be to go after those criminals whoever they are and make sure this can never happen again.

Forget window dressing that makes it look nice for the UN, US or anyone else, what they think should be the last consideration.

Has it been established whether those from Bangladesh are actually citizens or from the estimated 300k+ people living in Bangladesh who are stateless, subject to persecution and so on.

[tonbridgebrit]

Nation Newspaper, you've gone and said that the handling of the Rohingya issue was embarrassing. There's another post on Thaivisa where Thailand said that certain people should swap places with boat migrants.

This is what you mean by embarrassing ??

[Strangebrew]

Well Mr PM nothing like shooting yourself in the foot. You done more damage in a day than all past PM's done combined.

[Scott]

Another one who fails to recognize that these people are not all Rohingya, indeed it would now seem that the majority are from Bangladesh and are on these boats because of promises of jobs and a better life.

Sure the ones at sea must be found to save their lives, but where to from there, can Thailand really be expected to just take them in ?

They have all been taken advantage of by criminals and the priority should be to go after those criminals whoever they are and make sure this can never happen again.

Forget window dressing that makes it look nice for the UN, US or anyone else, what they think should be the last consideration.

Do you have a source showing that most are Bangladeshi? I am curious because the Myanmar gov't considers them to be Bangladeshi even though they live in Myanmar but Bangladesh does not. There are some rather large refugee camps for Rohinghyas in Bangladesh.

[selftaopath]

The current situation in Thailand is not too far off from the slave trade in Africa several hundred years ago. All levels of gov't were involved, complicit and profited from the trade. People were killed and sold.

Now we see the gov'ts further attempt to cover up the problem by not renting boats to foreigners because the country's image might get tarnished.

The image is tarnished and rightfully so.

Yes and many would argue that Thailand is hundreds of years BEHIND. many nations in various areas of society/culture.

[TheAppletons]

Another one who fails to recognize that these people are not all Rohingya, indeed it would now seem that the majority are from Bangladesh and are on these boats because of promises of jobs and a better life.

Sure the ones at sea must be found to save their lives, but where to from there, can Thailand really be expected to just take them in ?

They have all been taken advantage of by criminals and the priority should be to go after those criminals whoever they are and make sure this can never happen again.

Forget window dressing that makes it look nice for the UN, US or anyone else, what they think should be the last consideration.

Do you have a source showing that most are Bangladeshi? I am curious because the Myanmar gov't considers them to be Bangladeshi even though they live in Myanmar but Bangladesh does not. There are some rather large refugee camps for Rohinghyas in Bangladesh.

Doubtful. Keep in mind that the poster in question is one of a handful of TV members who log onto this section of TV to foist their political views upon others and have no qualms about making false claims to support their decidedly odd agenda.

From CNN:

"Thousands of migrants -- mostly members of Myanmar's persecuted Rohingya minority, and also economic migrants from Bangladesh -- are believed to be stranded aboard rickety traffickers' ships in the busy waters of the Malacca Strait and the Andaman Sea, looking for a safe harbor to take them in."

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/15/asia/thailand-malaysia-rohingya-refugees/

From US News and World Report:

"More than 3,000 people have landed in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in recent weeks, most of them members of the Rohingya minority who were fleeing Myanmar or were tricked by traffickers and then abandoned at sea."

http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/05/21/the-latest-on-rohingya-new-boat-arrivals-in-bad-shape

[simple1]

Another one who fails to recognize that these people are not all Rohingya, indeed it would now seem that the majority are from Bangladesh and are on these boats because of promises of jobs and a better life.

Sure the ones at sea must be found to save their lives, but where to from there, can Thailand really be expected to just take them in ?

They have all been taken advantage of by criminals and the priority should be to go after those criminals whoever they are and make sure this can never happen again.

Forget window dressing that makes it look nice for the UN, US or anyone else, what they think should be the last consideration.

Do you have a source showing that most are Bangladeshi? I am curious because the Myanmar gov't considers them to be Bangladeshi even though they live in Myanmar but Bangladesh does not. There are some rather large refugee camps for Rohinghyas in Bangladesh.

Some of the boat people are of Bangladeshi origin, but as you know probably know some Bangladeshis are less equal than others and subjected to severe abuse. In addition some who have resided in Bangladesh for decades are stateless, not only Rohingya, but includes Indians and Pakistanis.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/bangladeshi-migrants-find-safety-in-indonesia-but-now-face-the-burden-of-failure/article24561496/

[chainarong]

The only reason both Indonesia and Malaysia did a " U " turn was they found out the Rohingya are Muslim, otherwise the crisis would be one hell of a mess, it wouldn't look good Muslim nations turning back Muslim refugees, one wonders whether the same treatment would be the same for other religions.

[naboo]

The only reason both Indonesia and Malaysia did a " U " turn was they found out the Rohingya are Muslim, otherwise the crisis would be one hell of a mess, it wouldn't look good Muslim nations turning back Muslim refugees, one wonders whether the same treatment would be the same for other religions.

If you think the Malaysians have only just discovered that the Rohingya are Muslim, you are quite possibly the biggest idiot I've seen on this board, and that's an impressive achievement.

[zydeco]

Another one who fails to recognize that these people are not all Rohingya, indeed it would now seem that the majority are from Bangladesh and are on these boats because of promises of jobs and a better life.

Sure the ones at sea must be found to save their lives, but where to from there, can Thailand really be expected to just take them in ?

They have all been taken advantage of by criminals and the priority should be to go after those criminals whoever they are and make sure this can never happen again.

Forget window dressing that makes it look nice for the UN, US or anyone else, what they think should be the last consideration.

Do you have a source showing that most are Bangladeshi? I am curious because the Myanmar gov't considers them to be Bangladeshi even though they live in Myanmar but Bangladesh does not. There are some rather large refugee camps for Rohinghyas in Bangladesh.

If he doesn't, I have this article. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-23/bishop-says-most-of-7000-stranded-people-are-labourers/6491836

[Gonzo the Face]

The only reason both Indonesia and Malaysia did a " U " turn was they found out the Rohingya are Muslim, otherwise the crisis would be one hell of a mess, it wouldn't look good Muslim nations turning back Muslim refugees, one wonders whether the same treatment would be the same for other religions.

It might appear that your logic, defies logical logic. You write as you think that the government officials in Indonesia and Malaysia were completely unaware of the Rohingya's being Muslim and were totally unaware of the fact from the beginning. Please post, but for your own sake post with some thought.

[craigt3365]

Ship em all back from whence they came ASAP.

Unfortunately, many came here on offers of getting good jobs. Only to be brutalized and held for ransom. And potentially killed if they didn't pay up. Not 100% their fault.

[dominique355]

That's not all the embarrassment this military government has brought to Thailand in this case. Look how the dear leader treated the journalist Thapanee when she broke the story, actually the stories (plural); first the slavery in fishing industry then the rejection of Rohinghya refugees by Thailand.

The General was very concerned about the bad reputation for Thailand and his government but not at all about the fate of these people.

[Oziex1]

"Another one who fails to recognize that these people are not all Rohingya, indeed it would now seem that the majority are from Bangladesh and are on these boats because of promises of jobs and a better life."

And what is wrong with trying to find a better life when what you have is nothing.

They may not be true refugees and their entitlements may be less than refugees, I ask how bad are things when they put their lives in the hands of such ruthless criminals as the the traffickers.

The authorities of SE Asian countries may cry foul on these non refugees, do they complain when they use them in their fields, homes and factories.

​Has there ever been a concerted effort to control these illegals when they are in the possession of the elite, criminal or well connected.

​I will be interested to know what the figures of these non refugees are when tallied by a credible foreign agency

[zydeco]

The Bwana Syndrome is alive and well, I see. All these silly Thais, Malays, and Indonesians! How dare they think they have right to run their own countries and protect their culture. Bwana will set them right on that score. I can just see all the Bwanas in their kakhi shorts, knee socks, pith helmets, and swagger sticks, twirling on their little moustaches like rejects from a David Niven movie.

[ezzra]

Gee,,, the Thai officials are embarrassed... good grief... take hearts Thai officials, while you're

embarrassed they are either dead or enslaved or left to die in some god forsaken place on earth...

[ZuluTango70]

Do any of you know that Australia, is party to 1952 refugee convention. And since Tony Abbott came to power, boats were not only turned back but towed back to Indonesia on some instances. I didn't see a lot of keyboard warriors, bleeding hearts trashing Australia. I am from Australia and ashamed of it. Where was John Kerry when these happened. Just because it happened in developing countries doesn't mean that international community can take cheap shots at them. Just food for thought

[Oziex1]

Do any of you know that Australia, is party to 1952 refugee convention. And since Tony Abbott came to power, boats were not only turned back but towed back to Indonesia on some instances. I didn't see a lot of keyboard warriors, bleeding hearts trashing Australia. I am from Australia and ashamed of it. Where was John Kerry when these happened. Just because it happened in developing countries doesn't mean that international community can take cheap shots at them. Just food for thought

While I wholeheartedly agree that the Australian solution is totally lacking compassion it really cannot be compared to this.

This crisis stems from the abandonment of human beings to an unknown fate on the sea, dumped by Thai and other SE Asian slavers.The SE Asian authorities then dragged their feet in acknowledging their responsibilities in the rescue and fair treatment of the boat people.

Australia has also gone to some countries to inform potential boat people that they should not be conned and pay to come to Australia as they will not be allowed in.

There has been appropriate comment on Australia's unfair treatment of boat people, just not much of it in Australia.

[Scott]

Do any of you know that Australia, is party to 1952 refugee convention. And since Tony Abbott came to power, boats were not only turned back but towed back to Indonesia on some instances. I didn't see a lot of keyboard warriors, bleeding hearts trashing Australia. I am from Australia and ashamed of it. Where was John Kerry when these happened. Just because it happened in developing countries doesn't mean that international community can take cheap shots at them. Just food for thought

There have been numerous threads about Australia's policy on asylum seekers and I can assure you, Australia was not given a pass on the issue.

[Credo]

Another one who fails to recognize that these people are not all Rohingya, indeed it would now seem that the majority are from Bangladesh and are on these boats because of promises of jobs and a better life.

Sure the ones at sea must be found to save their lives, but where to from there, can Thailand really be expected to just take them in ?

They have all been taken advantage of by criminals and the priority should be to go after those criminals whoever they are and make sure this can never happen again.

Forget window dressing that makes it look nice for the UN, US or anyone else, what they think should be the last consideration.

Do you have a source showing that most are Bangladeshi? I am curious because the Myanmar gov't considers them to be Bangladeshi even though they live in Myanmar but Bangladesh does not. There are some rather large refugee camps for Rohinghyas in Bangladesh.

If he doesn't, I have this article. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-23/bishop-says-most-of-7000-stranded-people-are-labourers/6491836

Because somebody says it is so, doesn't make it so. I get very suspicious when they have such good knowledge about people they won't let set foot on their soil. No evidence that they have actually gone on board, checked ID documents or passports.

As another poster stated, there are a lot of stateless people in Bangladesh and they can't return either.

[Oziex1]

Do any of you know that Australia, is party to 1952 refugee convention. And since Tony Abbott came to power, boats were not only turned back but towed back to Indonesia on some instances. I didn't see a lot of keyboard warriors, bleeding hearts trashing Australia. I am from Australia and ashamed of it. Where was John Kerry when these happened. Just because it happened in developing countries doesn't mean that international community can take cheap shots at them. Just food for thought

ZT70 Please don't be ashamed of being Australian,be ashamed of Australian government policy.

Australians can be thankful we have the opportunity to change or retain our government every four years, unlike the current situation in Thailand.

[Credo]

Another one who fails to recognize that these people are not all Rohingya, indeed it would now seem that the majority are from Bangladesh and are on these boats because of promises of jobs and a better life.

Sure the ones at sea must be found to save their lives, but where to from there, can Thailand really be expected to just take them in ?

They have all been taken advantage of by criminals and the priority should be to go after those criminals whoever they are and make sure this can never happen again.

Forget window dressing that makes it look nice for the UN, US or anyone else, what they think should be the last consideration.

Do you have a source showing that most are Bangladeshi? I am curious because the Myanmar gov't considers them to be Bangladeshi even though they live in Myanmar but Bangladesh does not. There are some rather large refugee camps for Rohinghyas in Bangladesh.

If he doesn't, I have this article. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-23/bishop-says-most-of-7000-stranded-people-are-labourers/6491836

Not a credible source. Somebody said doesn't mean much. They won't let these people step foot on solid land so I doubt they have boarded the boats and checked ID's and passports. Also, saying that they are illegal workers is incorrect, Where were they working illegally?

Until they are properly screened, nobody is going to know where they are from and if they are screened and they are a Bangladeshi national who is not facing persecution, they can be returned.

[uptheos]

"These were the words of a leader of a country. 'Embarrassment' is an understatement, indeed".

These were the words of someone not trained in diplomacy.

I fear the world will soon view Thailand the same as they view other military governments.