Thai govt's boat people policy 'illegal, helps trafficking trade'

[webfact]

Thai Govt's Boat People Policy 'Illegal, Helps Trafficking Trade'
By Khaosod English


Refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh are rescued by Aceh fishermen in Julok, East Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia, 20 May 2015. . EPA/STR

BANGKOK — The Thai government's policy of allowing boats of migrants in Thai waters to continue to a third country is illegal and indirectly supports the human trafficking trade, according to a member of the Lawyer Council of Thailand.

Surapong Kongchantuk, the head of the council's subcommittee on migration and stateless people, was referring to the Thai Navy’s policy of asking boat people in the Andaman Sea whether they wish to land in Thailand or sail to other countries.

According to the policy, migrants that wish to continue to a third country will be provided with humanitarian assistance before continuing onwards, while anyone who lands on Thai shores will be processed as illegal immigrants.

Surapong pointed out that this policy violates Thai laws that explicitly require authorities to arrest every person who enters Thai territory without proper documentation. He also stressed that adhering to these laws is necessary to snuff out the long-running human smuggling operation, which involves ferrying migrants from the Bay of Bengal to Malaysia and Indonesia, often using Thailand as a transit country.

Human traffickers may be on the boats and simply pose as refugees, Surapong said, citing a case from 2008 in which 6 traffickers were found among 78 migrants rescued and interrogated by Thai police.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1432619662

-- Khaosod English 2015-05-26

[toonsai]

So much hypocrisy from Thailand... Thailand is at the center of Human trafficking and trades for decades. Not only with Rohingyas but also Burmese, Cambodian and Lao. I am referring to the modern slavery on Thai fishing boats. I am referring to the numerous manpower serving the construction and tourist industries in Thailand. Most are illegal workers traded by Thai companies and individuals with the complicity of corrupted officials. Rohingyas are just the tip of the iceberg... But for all the "farangs" they must have a proper visa or work permit or else they do not "respect" Thailand. What a joke, what a scam.

[clockman]

Nothing is ever what it seems, In Thailand!

[Strangebrew]

So in other words the Thai Navy was breaking Thai Law by giving the boats a choice to go on there way without "Proper" paperwork Thus under the eyes of the Law aiding in Human trafficking. Is that correct?

Edited May 26, 2015 by Strangebrew

[Yunla]

It is a tangled mess, and deeply tragic. It is also part of a much bigger global picture, and a much more serious outcome for everyone. I sincerely believe that our species is facing disaster unless it changes perceptions on the value of human life.

Our human model is broken, we have learned to equate personal wealth with the value of human lives, rather than just equating personal wealth with personal spending power - which is the accurate logical condition. This might seem obvious, or unimportant, but actually it is a serious drifting away from any form of intelligent perception.

The very idea that a person with lower spending power is also of lower value as a human being, is not capitalism. It is not logical. It is a grubby and preposterous failure of basic understanding.

People at the top of the capitalist scale are richer, and this is logical. People at the bottom are poorer, and likewise this is how it functions.

But we have drifted into a kind of logic-free blindness, where people at the top are the most valuable human beings, and the lower down the wealth scale you go, the lower the value of those human beings becomes.

And while this might seem a minor detail, this basic contradiction and failure in simple logic, these are the loose threads that are going to pull the whole human tapestry apart.

Edited May 26, 2015 by Yunla

[halloween]

"Human traffickers may be on the boats and simply pose as refugees........"

..........and quite a few economic migrants. Differentiation is a slow, and expensive process, with numerous side issues, such as children in custody.

[weegee]

It is a tangled mess, and deeply tragic. It is also part of a much bigger global picture, and a much more serious outcome for everyone. I sincerely believe that our species is facing disaster unless it changes perceptions on the value of human life.

Our human model is broken, we have learned to equate personal wealth with the value of human lives, rather than just equating personal wealth with personal spending power - which is the accurate logical condition. This might seem obvious, or unimportant, but actually it is a serious drifting away from any form of intelligent perception.

The very idea that a person with lower spending power is also of lower value as a human being, is not capitalism. It is not logical. It is a grubby and preposterous failure of basic understanding.

People at the top of the capitalist scale are richer, and this is logical. People at the bottom are poorer, and likewise this is how it functions.

But we have drifted into a kind of logic-free blindness, where people at the top are the most valuable human beings, and the lower down the wealth scale you go, the lower the value of those human beings becomes.

And while this might seem a minor detail, this basic contradiction and failure in simple logic, these are the loose threads that are going to pull the whole human tapestry apart.

Good Point....It's no longer about the money side of it, in my opinion....It's about what these refugees do in their new country, after being there a few years.

This has probably been the main cause for all the statements from people who say....send them back....not because they have no sympathy for them.

Yes the world has changed a lot, in the last 50 odd years....and it's not necessarily in the right direction....

[cloudhopper]

Well IMO this lawyer is wrong. Even if the boats are intercepted inside Thai territorial waters less than 12nm from shore, ALL vessels are guaranteed right of 'innocent passage' to another country by international law.

[Srikcir]

So in other words the Thai Navy was breaking Thai Law by giving the boats a choice to go on there way without "Proper" paperwork Thus under the eyes of the Law aiding in Human trafficking. Is that correct?

Technically, since the NCPO holds Thailand's sovereignty under Article 44 of the Interim Charter, any and all of its orders and directives have the power of constitutional law.

But that also means that if the miitary allows "boat" migrants onto Thai soil that is within its legislative and jurisdictional powers. The military doesn't need a legislative act to allow such action. So their presence would NOT be illegal.

So its gets a little confusing when the military allows the boat migrants onto Thai soil but also claims it is an illegal act.

[steven100]

Intercept the boats , give them some food & water and make sure they are ok ... turn them around and send them back ... this is humane.

[Bignose]

This is an incredible emotive and complex problem, it has been a constant headache for successive governments in Australia but now seems to have taken on a heightened profile in other parts of Asia.

The blame for the plight of these people does not rest with the neighboring countries, it lies with the governments of the originating countries with Myanmar being the most obvious current culprit. The poor people fleeing from there seem to me to be genuine refugee's and leaving a country where they are being victimized and in real danger of harm. This is not the fault of the Thai, Malaysian, Indonesian or Australian governments but the people in charge in Myanmar, the other countries mentioned are doing the best they can to deal with a horrendous situation.

Do I feel sympathy for all displaced people currently trying to find a new home? Of course I do as it is a human tragedy of Biblical proportions, but does that mean all people currently searching deserve to be accommodated?

Unfortunately I don't believe it does! Where they can prove to have left because of persecution or threat to life that is fair enough, but where they are "economic refugee's" then no I am sorry but they should be sent home to where they originally lived. Yes we can understand why they wish to live elsewhere, but is it the responsibility of all countries to house, feed and educate everyone who is not happy with their country of origin?

Where countries are willing to accept illegal aliens because of whatever treaty they are signatory too, then the human traffickers will continue to ship these people regardless of the death toll or suffering caused. There will be a constant stream of boats leaving without a definite destination or outcome, and the loss of life will continue unabated.

Heartless as it may seem I genuinely believe that a firm stand must be taken, only when these poor people realize there is no welcome waiting and they will be turned round, maybe then they shall realize that (no matter what the economic conditions at home) it may be better to invest the money they hand so willingly to traffickers and try to better their lives where they are...

[cookee68]

Yeah check out the ones hiding behind a black curtain, they could be the traffickers,

[BestBitterPhuket]

It is very interesting to see the different reactions to this in Malaysia and Thailand. In Malaysia the reaction has been real outrage, compassion and deep sympathy with the victims among ALL Malaysians, including the ruling Gvernment party.

In Thailand there has been zero compassion from the government, and little from the general population. The only outrage has been against US and EU for being forced to do something about this.Its really telling about the Thai society.

[slipperx]

Thai lawyers don't understand Thai law and those that do understand it are probably wrong!

[Torrens54]

Intercept the boats , give them some food & water and make sure they are ok ... turn them around and send them back ... this is humane.

Exactly. If they are allowed in, are fed and watered, given whatever assistance then they'll join up with the radical mob down South and before you know it, they'll be demanding a separate state and if they don't get it, they'll be tossing Bombs around and murdering people to try and force the issue.

Simply tell the Bleeding Hearts at the U.N. to get tough with the despots in Burma. Re-impose ALL Sanctions on the place until they behave. Have also started to loose faith in Aung San Suu Kyi over her lack of verbiage on this matter.

[JideeS]

Intercept the boats , give them some food & water and make sure they are ok ... turn them around and send them back ... this is humane.

Exactly. If they are allowed in, are fed and watered, given whatever assistance then they'll join up with the radical mob down South and before you know it, they'll be demanding a separate state and if they don't get it, they'll be tossing Bombs around and murdering people to try and force the issue.

Simply tell the Bleeding Hearts at the U.N. to get tough with the despots in Burma. Re-impose ALL Sanctions on the place until they behave. Have also started to loose faith in Aung San Suu Kyi over her lack of verbiage on this matter.

I agree, IMO this is probably why the Thailand and Australia governments are refusing allowing them in. They are having enough problems with the Muslims that are already there ....Why compound the problem by adding more?

[AlQaholic]

Wonder how many of those refugee boats a sunk during the nights.....

[steven100]

Thailand is giving food, water & medicines and taking care of the sick and weary. Then provide enough fuel to return to their birth place either Bangladesh, Myanmar or India or wherever.

It is not up to the international community to accept illegal boat people wherever they decided they want to settle. Thailand didn't force them to pay a boat people smuggler. Thailand or the international community didn't say you get on that boat ...

Why should other countries pay for the relocation of thousands when it's their plight and choice to go elsewhere. ?

Thailand is correct in the firm stance they are taking and most don't want them here. Imagine them resettling in the south and in two years wanting autonomy from Thailand. Killings and bombings etc ... all because the doo gooders want to force countries to accept them.

No thanks. Check the survey results ...