Anupong: Army follows humanitarian rules

Published: 20/01/2009 at 11:41 AM
Online news: Breakingnews

Military adheres to humanitarian principles on the treatment of Rohingya refugees, Army chief Anupong Paojinda said Tuesday.

An investigation is being conducted as requested by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, after the navy was accused of pushing the Burmese refugees, who were held on the remote Koh Sai Daeng off southern Thailand in December, back on boats with their hands bound and set adrift with little food and water.

Gen Anupong reiterated that authorities have explained to public that asylum seekers were made to lie down as a precaution to prevent them causing harm to security personnel who were outnumbered.

A group of Rohingya refugees guarded by the Thai army.

No violence was used against them, he stressed.

Gen Anupong also said that relations between Thailand and Burma remain close, especially after Thailand has given the country full assistance when it experienced natural disaster last year.

I do not see any conflicts between the two countries, he said.

Nearly 650 of the Muslim Rohingya have been rescued in waters off India and Indonesia. Some of them told officials that they were beaten in Thailand before being set adrift in barges with no engines or navigational equipment.

A local human rights organisation that monitors the treatment of Rohingya says that up to 550 of the migrants are still missing at sea, while Indian officials have said they too fear for hundreds who remain unaccounted for.

Mr Abhisit met human rights officials Monday and vowed that his government would investigate the claims of abuse of the Rohingya, which the Thai navy has already denied.

Rights groups say the Rohingya are stateless and face persecution from Burma's military regime, forcing thousands into rickety boats each year to try to escape poverty and oppression and head to Muslim-majority Malaysia.

Thailand has for the past few years taken a harsh stance on Rohingya landing on its shores, in part to discourage further migration through Thailand.

About the author

Writer: BangkokPost.com and AFP

Keep this article in your social bookmark:

Latest stories in this category:

Share your thoughts

For more candid, lengthy, conversational and open discussion between one another, use our Forum

Report objectionable comments click here. Include: discussion #, commenter name, comment date / time as it looks on the page. Example: discussion 15: 09/01/2009 at 10:00 AM.

Looking Inn

Discussion 22 : 21/01/2009 at 09:12 AM22
Here is the future of all people, Thais included.

"We are here today because this government is mocking us. I am fed up with the lies, corruption and those grinning, fat faces behind the windows of Parliament."- Liucija Mukiene, a 63-year-old protester in Vilnius.

"The political elite does not know how to establish a dialogue with society. Will government learn this lesson so that such violence will not break out again? I doubt it." - Raimundas Lopata, director of the International Relations and Political Science Institute in Vilnius.

"...a set of ideals that continue to light the world: That we are equal. That our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness come not from our laws, but from our maker. And that a government of, by, and for the people can endure." - Abraham Lincoln

“To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history.” – Barack Obama
Keith

Discussion 21 : 21/01/2009 at 08:35 AM21
I saw an earlier comment about America not being a Democracy. Let me point out that during the recent presidential inauguration, there was no bloodshed, there was no military action to violently remove the ruling president, it was a CIVILIZED process. That may be sugar-coating a political machine with the name "Democracy" but it's the best thing on this planet, and I think it's going to get better real soon!
Drey

Discussion 20 : 21/01/2009 at 07:45 AM20
What are your points (if any)?

You can see clearly, daily, how the Democrats are manipulating their newly gained power to curtail Thai's freedoms. You all now can see this censurship of every kind. The media is being "ultra" kind, supportive and patient with this loss of Freedom of speach (cutting opponents abilities to get their voice heard, throwing them in jail, threatening all who do not bow to their will).

The military is flexing its rebirth in political control.

Those who committed crimes against the state are being congratulated and promoted.

They re-introduce old crony plans to justify/legalize their large land holdings in the most prime natural beauty areas of Thailand.

Their policies are no different, IF NOT WORSE, than those of the TRT/PPP by throwing money at those who they need support from to maintain power.

I TOLD YOU THE HISTORY OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. YOU FOOLS WHO THINK YOU ARE ON THE SIDE OF ANGELS IN WHITE WHO COME TO YOUR RESCUE FROM THE BIG BAD WOLF WILL HAVE TO ENDURE THE "DE-DEMOCRATIZATION" OF THAILAND WITH ONE ULTRA-POWER PARTY RULING ALL.

Whats going to happen when their power grabbing is complete? CORRUPTION, GREED, SELF-INDULGIENCE thats what! The stories have already started. In another year or two the corrupt activities will be rampant and the people will SCREAM for change.

The facts do not change. THE MAJORITY IS STILL THE MAJORITY no matter what the powerful minority (Military, Royalists, Democrats & Media Moguls) wish us to swallow. Remember the Democrats/PAD fight song "Shutup you poor uneducated blind bribe taking idiots and let us lead you...Of course we know whats good for you better than you could know...".

Is this really what you want for the future of all Thais?
chomtois

Discussion 19 : 21/01/2009 at 05:03 AM19
The world has now known what a country Thailand is. One thing, there is no democracy. Second, there is no humanity. There is no morality but cruelty.

Even you worship 'Buddha' and this is just the bloody claws under the woolen gloves.
charlie

Discussion 18 : 21/01/2009 at 12:23 AM18
I like the way everyone points fingers at the military while no one mentions nothing of the snakeheads who are responsible for and made money from these poor people .Do u know how many Burmese people are smuggled into Thailand everyday .I dont but maybe the focus should be on the the people who are responsible for it and not the people who are left holding the bag .
soveny

Discussion 17 : 21/01/2009 at 12:04 AM17
#voice of reason

Finally someone got the point!!!!!!! Yes its a question of the rules of the game. Either its democratic rules or it isnt. With the coup, one part broke the rules and there are we now. And we will remain in this disguised dictatorship till ...............?
wtf

Discussion 16 : 20/01/2009 at 10:58 PM16
Voice of Reason - I don't believe in scales of democracy - there has NEVER been democracy in Thailand. There is hardly a democratic nation on earth - and no America is not one of them! Don't kid yourself son.

Sending refugees out to sea to die? I think the average person would be haunted by that for the rest of their life - Anupong will probably joke about it at the next lunch he has with members from ALL of Thailand's insidious political parties.

Reminds me of President Bush laughing about how after squandering the lives of thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, they couldn't find those darn WMD's. Again, just watching him laugh about it will send a chill down your spine.
noi

Discussion 15 : 20/01/2009 at 10:46 PM15
Yellow General protects cowardice and inhuman behaviour as he does not know better. Our big general probably can not spell humanity, as he is recently jioned the privilaged circle and hardly touches the ground at the moment. The press as alway try to show this new power in good light.
voice of reason

Discussion 14 : 20/01/2009 at 10:39 PM14
you are superior? i don't think that is for you to judge. in fact, i think that is for your 'peers' to judge (ie me and others on this board) and in my opinion you still jump to crazy conclusions and then assume that these are suddenly fact because you believe them! So although you have now abandoned Mr A, you are still the same strange charactor.

You still haven't understood what democracy is yet, "...In the end its who has more people in their pockets, and it doesn't make it any more democratic or better." You don't get 'scales' of democracy. It either is democratic or it is not. Mr A's government is not democratic.
wtf

Discussion 13 : 20/01/2009 at 10:23 PM13
By the way, I am superior...

1 2 3 Next Last

Anupong: Army follows humanitarian rules