(Kao Wao: September 24, 2003)

Buddhist monks have been ill-treated by Thai authorities during crackdown on illegal entry to the kingdom, according to deported monks who have arrived at the Thai- Burma border.

From August 26 to 28, the Thai police arrested Buddhist monks in various temples near Bangkok and those who could not present Thai identification cards were disrobed and deported to the Burma border.

A local source reported that 103 Buddhist monks at Wat Bangyar, Wat Sudhammavadee, Wat Mai KlongJet and Wat Nongkhaem temples in the Bangkok area had been arrested and deported to Three Pagodas Pass and Maesot western Thai-Burma Border.

Mon monks who arrived at the border complained that they were forced to disrobe and detained over two nights before being deported. Properties belonging to them were occupied by some of the police officers. "We have no idea how it happened. We were invited for a meeting at the temple and then they detained us without warning and clarification. Some senior Buddhist monks requested the officers not to disrobe them but this was rejected", said a Buddhist monk who was deported to Sangkhalaburi.

According to Nai Teyja, a Mon monk, it is believed that the police action was taken to prevent 'illegal entry' into Thailand for employment purposes and to tighten up security ahead of an upcoming APEC meeting.

According to a Thai source, 189 temples with an estimated number of 8,000 foreign clerics were targeted. The majority of these are young monks studying at various temples to complete courses in Buddhist studies leading to certificates, diplomas, or a bachelor degree in Thailand. The crackdown had led to the dislocation of thousands of monks and novices who also lost their opportunity to continue their studies.

ID cards issued by one of the most respected monks in Thailand, Rev. Uttama, were rejected as 'invalid' during the raids. Some monks were verbally assaulted by the police officers, according to one deported monk.

The source said those arrested include some whose parents were already naturalized citizens and are Thai nationals. Some were born in Thailand and their parents hold ID cards issued by the Thai government, such as the displaced person card (pink) and the highlander card (blue). They face several bureaucratic hurdles in continuing their studies outside districts where they are allowed to reside.

Following the crackdown that began last month, the Australia-based Mon National Council issued a statement on September 11 and the Monland Restoration Council (USA) sent a letter to the Royal Thai Government requesting fair treatment to Buddhist monks. In Chiang Mai, the Young Shan Monks for Education also drafted a petition letter.