Immigration policies to be reassessed: PM

Published on Sep 8, 2002

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday said his government will reassess its immigration policy toward "neighbouring countries" as Thailand had long carried their burdens.

Thaksin did not single out Burma or other neighbouring nations by name. But he said malaria, illicit drugs, a million illegal foreign workers and more then 100,000 refugees living in make-shift camps along the Thai-Burma border, plus the shooting of students in Ratchaburi province had put a strain on Thailand.

These incidents had forced the government to rethink its policies with neighbouring countries, he said.

The premier did not say what specific aspect of foreign policy would be re-evaluated. He stuck to his old line, however, saying that if the economies of these countries were to strengthen, then their overall well-being and security could be attained.

But most analysts say the foundations for peace in Burma can be achieved only when the ruling junta and minority groups fighting for self-rule reach a sustainable political settlement i

The mostly ethnic Karen refugees who have fled fighting between government troops and rebels bring stories of rape and torture by soldiers.

The vast majority of the one million illegal foreign workers are from Burma. Many take up low-paying jobs in labour-intensive industries that Thais refuse.

Thaksin's statement comes amid growing concern from various sectors that the country is losing its international standing because the administration is moving too close and is too quick to appease Rangoon.

Senator Kraisak Choonhavan, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations, called on the government yesterday to respect the plight of Burmese refugees.

He pointed to the recently published, "Licence to Rape" report, documenting the rape of 625 ethnic Shan girls and women between 1996 and 2001 by Burmese troops.

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