Bkk Post - Biting the hand that fee

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Reply-To: "TIN KYI" <tinkyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Bkk Post - Biting the hand that feeds the cause

Bangkok Post - Oct 31, 1999
Commentary

Biting the hand that feeds the cause
Thongbai Thongpao

The recent audacious seizure of the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok by five
Burmese dissidents has been a big slap in the face for the Burmese
government.

The military junta made little effort to contain its rage and took it out on
Thailand for letting the five dissidents go. A series of reactions followed
in protest. Thailand was asked to arrest the fugitives, all checkpoints
along the border were closed, and fishing concessions granted to Thai
trawlermen were suspended. Then the junta arrested 200 Thais for gambling at
Song Island opposite Ranong.

Meanwhile, at Maneeloy Centre in Ratchaburi, several Burmese students in
exile took three representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees hostage and demanded their monthly allowances, forcing Thai police
to intervene.

The Royal Thai Police Office has issued arrest warrants and lodged strong
charges against the five fugitives. However, the government has yet to
resolve the problem of the border closure and suspension of fishing
concessions. But at least it has refused to be bullied by the junta and a
newspaper reported that it is seeking alternative fishing concessions from
India.

Due to these problems, the Thai government is seeking to deport Burmese
students to third countries. But this is easier said than done. There are
several sensitive factors to be taken into consideration. Third countries
tend to reject those students who are too old or handicapped or who are
perceived as posing a security risk.

Thailand has learned a hard lesson in its dealing with foreign refugees and
citizens. When these people break the law, the police arrest them. But it is
impossible to deport them immediately because their home countries no longer
welcome them. Hundreds of these people have been detained at Bang Kwang
jail, some for as long as 20 years, waiting to be expelled. Prior to the
problem with the Burmese dissidents, Thailand had to accept thousands of
Vietnamese refugees. During the civil war in Laos, Thailand had to again
open its doors to receive refugees. When the war was over, some returned to
their homeland while others migrated to third countries.

When the nationalist Koumintang was defeated by the Chinese communists,
nationalist soldiers sought sanctuary in the kingdom. The Thai government
allowed them to resettle and even granted them Thai nationality.

When civil war broke out in Cambodia, Thailand had to establish refugee
camps in Prachin Buri and Chon Buri to accommodate tens of thousands of
Cambodian refugees. When the communist party in Malaysia lost its battle and
fled across the border, we adopted the same policy and again gave them Thai
nationality.

Since the armed forces in Burma took power, hundreds of thousands of Burmese
and members of minority groups have flooded into Thailand. Former students
were sent to Maneeloy Centre but only a handful have since been sent to
third countries. Some of them have joined the illegal workforce, earning low
wages. Some have become criminals.

Despite Thailand's best efforts and generosity, the country still has to
deal with the problem of human rights violations. When we handle the issue
well, we get nothing in return. But most of the time, we stand to lose as we
have to shoulder the burden for the sake of humanity at the expense of our
own citizens. As such, it is only right to send such refugees to third
countries.

Furthermore, the Thai government, along with other members of Asean, should
revise its constructive engagement policy. History shows that another
country's politics can directly impact the sovereignty, economy and social
stability of our own country.