THE BUZZ: Thailand’s plan to deport 130,000 to myanmar raises concerns

Refugee advocates yesterday raised concerns about the safety and welfare of 130,000 long-term displaced people whom Thailand’s military government recently said it planned to send back to Myanmar.
Junta leader said last week that Thailand and Myanmar will facilitate their safe return according to human rights principles, but he did not give any timeframe for when the repatriation would take place.
Human Rights Watch researcher Sunai Phasuk called on both Thailand and Myanmar to consult with the affected people and international organizations with expertise in the issue before finalizing any repatriation plans.
The affected people are mainly ethnic minorities who’ve been living in displacement camps in Thailand since fleeing government offensives in eastern Myanmar as long as three decades ago. They, however, are not formally acknowledged as refugees.