Thread: Cabinet approves joint agreement on repatriation of Myanmar refugees

BANGKOK, 17 July 2018 (NNT) – The Cabinet has endorsed an agreement between Thailand and Myanmar on their cooperation to repatriate Myanmar refugees, with a budget to be allocated in support of their journey home.

Government Spokesman Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkumnerd revealed that the Cabinet today granted approval to an agreement drawn up by the Thailand-Myanmar joint working committee responsible for the repatriation of Myanmar refugees. According to surveys, there are currently more than 100,000 Myanmar nationals residing in nine refugee camps in Thailand after having fled violence in their home country.

Since early 2015, two rounds of voluntary repatriation have been arranged for the refugees, totaling 164 individuals. On March 24 this year, the joint committee convened a meeting to formulate operational guidelines and came up with the agreement to ensure a safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation process.

The Myanmar government has asked Thailand to categorize the refugees into three groups, namely those with clear information on the place of origin, those wishing to return to Myanmar and those looking for employment. The second group will receive assistance with their trips back to Myanmar, which will be conducted via the Mae Sot-Myawaddy border crossing in Tak province and the Phu Nam Ron-Htee Khee border crossing in Kanchanaburi province.

In the meantime, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has earmarked a budget of nearly 3.5 million baht to support the repatriation process.

National News Bureau Of Thailand | Cabinet approves joint agreement on repatriation of Myanmar refugees

Originally Posted by misskit

there are currently more than 100,000 Myanmar nationals residing in nine refugee camps in Thailand after having fled violence in their home country.

Refugees. Fleeing violence. Let that sink in, Thai Cabinet.

Originally Posted by misskit

Since early 2015, two rounds of voluntary repatriation have been arranged for the refugees, totaling 164 individuals.

Out of 100, 000. What does that say about the uptake of voluntary repatriation? Thai Cabinet, care to comment?

Originally Posted by misskit

In the meantime, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has earmarked a budget of nearly 3.5 million baht to support the repatriation process.

...@100,000 people, you budget 35 baht per person for processing them and kicking back to the violence. They're just numbers or cattle, eh?