AFP: Update news on Thailand & Burm

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Subject: AFP: Update news on Thailand & Burmese students

    Thailand wants Myanmar students out of country after hostage crisis
    ATTENTION - ADDS quotes

    BANGKOK, Oct 6 (AFP) - Thailand said Wednesday it planned to round 
up  exiled Myanmar students and send them to a third country, after five 
student gunmen took almost 40 people hostage at Yangon's embassy here.   In 
the wake of the 25-hour hostage crisis, which ended with the gunmen fleeing 
Bangkok by helicopter Saturday, Thai authorities met to discuss ways to 
prevent more international terrorism on Thai soil. The National Security 
Council (NSC) said it would round up exiled students inside Thailand, check 
their status, and prosecute those found to have entered the country 
illegally.   All students would then be transferred to the Maneeloy holding 
centre near the Thai-Myanmar border, and the United Nations High 
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) would be asked to quickly transfer them 
to a third country.
    "We will consult with the UNHCR to send an estimated 2,800 Myanmar 
students to another country," Khachadpai Burusapatana, NSC 
secretary-general told reporters after the meeting of top security 
agencies.  The UNHCR said it had not been informed of the move yet but 
would continue to apply long-standing policies on resettlement.
    "In accordance with established practice we will continue to promote 
resettlement of those refugees who qualify for third country resettlement," 
a UNHCR spokesman said.
    Interior ministry spokesman Veerachai Naewboonian said students who 
were not accepted by a third country would be repatriated to 
Myanmar.  Human rights group Forum-Asia said students returned to Myanmar 
could be placed in grave danger.
    "It is not safe for them to go back, depending on their background they 
could be arrested, or forced into slave labour," spokeswoman Chalida 
Tajaroensuk said.  Chalida said the plan was only a short-term solution.
    "The international community and Thailand should do something to change 
the situation in Burma to create more democracy, it doesn't solve the root 
of the problem," she said.
    "These students really do want to go back to their own country but they 
can't at the moment," she added.
    Veerachai said Thailand had already moved to ensure students were 
confined to the Maneeloy holding centre in Ratchburi province.
    "Authorities will step up rules and regulations at the Maneeloy holding 
centre," Veerachai said.
    Despite the crackdown on exiled students, Bangkok denied claims by 
Yangon that refugee camps inside Thailand were being used as terrorist bases.
    "On this issue Thailand has a clear cut policy that we will not allow 
any groups of terrorists to operate against neigbouring countries from 
inside our country," Khachadpai said.
    He said Thailand's policy of sheltering 100,000 refugees along the 
Thai-Myanmar border would remain unchanged, but all illegal Myanmar workers 
would be repatriated.
    "We have extended permission for 80,000 to 90,000 Myanmar workers, but 
those who are not granted an extension will be prosecuted for violating 
immigration laws," he said.
    In addition, Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai has instructed police to 
tighten security at 65 embassies and 10 consulates in Bangkok. Thai Special 
Branch Police deputy commissioner Major General Yothin Matthayanun said his 
agency would focus on improving security for diplomatic missions of 
neighbouring countries and nations embroiled in political disputes, such as 
Indonesia. (AFP)