Myanmar refugees face crackdown in Thailand

Published July 21, 2014
A refugee family hold numbered placards as they pose for a photo during a census conducted by the Thai authorities at Mae La refugee camp, near the Thailand-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district, Tak province, north of Bangkok. -Photo by Reuters
A refugee family hold numbered placards as they pose for a photo during a census conducted by the Thai authorities at Mae La refugee camp, near the Thailand-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district, Tak province, north of Bangkok. -Photo by Reuters
Refugees who fled Myanmar wait for the Thai authorities to conduct a census at Mae La refugee camp. -Photo by Reuters
Refugees who fled Myanmar wait for the Thai authorities to conduct a census at Mae La refugee camp. -Photo by Reuters
A refugee who fled Myanmar smokes a cigarette while waiting for the Thai authorities to conduct a census at Mae La refugee camp. -Photo by Reuters
A refugee who fled Myanmar smokes a cigarette while waiting for the Thai authorities to conduct a census at Mae La refugee camp. -Photo by Reuters
A refugee who fled Myanmar watches from behind a bamboo wall of a stilt house as Thai authorities conduct a census at Mae La refugee camp. -Photo by Reuters
A refugee who fled Myanmar watches from behind a bamboo wall of a stilt house as Thai authorities conduct a census at Mae La refugee camp. -Photo by Reuters
A refugee who fled Myanmar holds her child as she walks at Mae La refugee camp, near the Thailand-Myanmar border. -Photo by Reuters
A refugee who fled Myanmar holds her child as she walks at Mae La refugee camp, near the Thailand-Myanmar border. -Photo by Reuters
A refugee who fled Myanmar waits for the Thai authorities to conduct a census at Mae La refugee camp. -Photo by Reuters
A refugee who fled Myanmar waits for the Thai authorities to conduct a census at Mae La refugee camp. -Photo by Reuters
Refugees who fled Myanmar walk at Mae La refugee camp. -Photo by Reuters
Refugees who fled Myanmar walk at Mae La refugee camp. -Photo by Reuters
Refugees who fled Myanmar are seen at their stilt houses at Mae La refugee camp. -Photo by Reuters
Refugees who fled Myanmar are seen at their stilt houses at Mae La refugee camp. -Photo by Reuters

Thai authorities have started conducting a census at Mae La on refugees who fled neighbouring Myanmar, in a bid to crackdown on illegal workers, raising fears among the refugees of an imminent repatriation to Myanmar. Thailand's military government said last Monday it would send home 100,000 refugees who have been living in camps for two decades and more along the border with Myanmar, a move rights groups say would create chaos at a tense time for both nations.

Opinion

Editorial

System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....
Time to deliver
Updated 11 Nov, 2024

Time to deliver

Pakistan must display a serious commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation at home.
Smaller government
11 Nov, 2024

Smaller government

THE IMF bailout programme has put the government under pressure to curtail its spending, especially current...
Unsafe inheritance
11 Nov, 2024

Unsafe inheritance

DESPITE regulations, the troubling practice of robbing women of their rightful inheritance — the culprits are ...