Cover photo: from Thai PBS

Human rights workers and relevant stakeholders have engaged in a discussion regarding Thailand’s policies towards the increasing influx of Myanmar refugees fleeing the ongoing civil war in Myanmar.

A seminar called ‘In Between’ was held on 25 June 2023 to mark World Refugee Day by addressing concerns and policy proposals over the recent influx of Myanmar refugees entering Thailand.

(Photo from Thai PBS)

Pongpipat Meebenchamart, Chief Executive of Mae Sam Laep Subdistrict Administration Organization on the Salween River border with Myanmar, suggested that local organizations working with refugees should be involved in management. He said the government authorities alone are not sufficient, as the refugees entering Thailand consist of different groups including children, the elderly, and pregnant women who need different types of support.

National Human Rights Commissioner Sayamol Kaiyoorawong said that law enforcement regarding the screening of refugees should prioritise justice rather than focusing solely on national security. She emphasized that the government’s responsibilities lie in protecting their rights and freedoms. Thailand must abide by the principle of non-refoulment, which guarantees that no one is returned to a country where they would face inhuman treatment.

The process of turning refugees into a workforce is also significant. Sayamol said the government needs to implement a top-down policy to combat corruption in refugee camps where refugees who wish to work outside the camp have to bribe the authorities.

She also emphasised that the government should cooperate with local, civil, and international organisations to provide comprehensive assistance.

Sriprapha Petcharamesree, Senior Researcher from Chulalongkorn University, suggested two approaches to address the issue. Firstly, Thailand must fully acknowledge the existence of refugees within its borders. Secondly, the government and relevant agencies must view Thailand no longer as just a transit country for refugees because many people cannot return to their countries of origin.

Sriprapha Petcharamesree

(Photo from Thai PBS)

Sriprapha strongly agreed that Thailand must not return refugees to a country in which they would be subjected to danger, torture, or prosecution. In the past, there have been several occasions when the government forcibly returned refugees. 

Fair Party MP Kannavee Suebsang, who has worked with the UNHCR for a decade, suggested that the new government must implement three key policies. The first involves administration within the country, the second focuses on developing policies for border areas, and the third involves foreign policies that could effectively address the root causes of the problems in Myanmar. He highlighted that the establishment of humanitarian corridors is a measure that should be urgently implemented. Kannavee emphasised that Thailand must view all individuals as equals in terms of humanity.

Kannavee Suebsang

According to a UNHCR report, Thailand currently hosts 91,401 refugees from Myanmar in the nine temporary shelters run by the Thai government. Some of these refugees have resided in Thailand since the mid-1980s after fleeing conflict between ethnic armed groups and the Myanmar military. This number does not include the recent influx of Myanmar refugees.