Thread: Foreign Ministry denies policy to detain pro-democracy dissidents from Myanmar

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied on Saturday news reports that the Thai government would detain and extradite back to Myanmar several leaders of the pro-democracy movement.


Viral posts on social media and Myanmar-language news reports purportedly showed posters at a refugee camp on the border, written in Thai, of six Myanmar protest leaders who “might use Thailand as a base to conduct operations against the Myanmar government.”


The six people are Min Ko Naing and Ko Jimmy of the 8888 uprising, Kyaw Moe Tun who is the Myanmar representative to the UN, Maung Maung who is the leader of the CTUM, Kyaw Thu who is the founder of the FFSS, and rock star Lynn Lynn.


According to Tanee Sangrat, the spokesman for the foreign ministry, Thailand “has no policy” on apprehending or sending back Myanmar dissidents.


“I can confirm that such information has no official status or basis in any policy whatsoever,” he told Thai Enquirer.


It is unclear who put up the poster in question. Calls to the Royal Thai Army which administers and guards the borders were not returned. Calls to the border police also went unanswered.


It is the second time in as many weeks where the Thai government has been questioned over alleged support to the Myanmar regime.


Earlier in March, a Reuters report found that the Thai army had been supplying rice to the Myanmar army units along the border. The Thai army has since denied these reports and said it was part of regular trade.


Ongoing crackdowns by the Myanmar junta has left scores of people dead. Three people were allegedly shot dead by security forces on Saturday in Yangon ahead of planned anti-coup protests.


The Myanmar military took power in a February 1 coup under the pretense of restoring democracy and getting rid of the Aung San Suu Kyi government which it said participated in widespread electoral fraud last year.



Foreign Ministry denies policy to detain pro-democracy dissidents from Myanmar - Thai Enquirer

So, in effect, we are left not knowing. I can't for a moment see Thailand extraditing any of these folks back. One can imagine the diplomatic fallout if they did.

Originally Posted by russellsimpson

So, in effect, we are left not knowing. I can't for a moment see Thailand extraditing any of these folks back. One can imagine the diplomatic fallout if they did.

You are very naive.

And you, sir, are very thick. Sticky shit comes to mind. A "surface skimmer" so to speak.

It's usually the little people in any country (who either have no guns, have no money) that are up against a slick military regime that will rule with an iron fist to hold on to power and wealth that will indiscriminately eliminate the little people...if they don't run. I doubt we will see true democracy in Myanmar for many years...maybe a decade or 3.

Originally Posted by russellsimpson

So, in effect, we are left not knowing. I can't for a moment see Thailand extraditing any of these folks back. One can imagine the diplomatic fallout if they did.

Obviously you're not familiar with Thailand's history regarding refugees from ravaged conflicts in neighboring countries [Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Burma], are we?
To suggest that Thai authorities will take the expected and appropriate measures is terribly naive and even more so not knowledgeable of the situation, region and historic precedence.

Myanmar’s government has detained staff of Open Society, a foundation founded by billionaire financial criminal George Soros engaged in political interference side-by-side the US and European governments around the globe. Myanmar accuses Open Society of financial misconduct in support of riot mobs. Western corporate media like Reuters has attempted to downplay the significance of this interference and portray Open Society as a victim

Originally Posted by HuangLao

Obviously you're not familiar with Thailand's history regarding refugees from ravaged conflicts in neighboring countries [Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Burma], are we?
To suggest that Thai authorities will take the expected and appropriate measures is terribly naive and even more so not knowledgeable of the situation, region and historic precedence.

I find myself agreeing with you more and more these days, Jeff.

I used to live in a few of the countries you've mentioned (and have spent considerable time in all) and when you speak to the people, old grudges are never far from rearing their ugly heads.

Well it looks like folks are getting to know you, russ.