The problem of the Rohingya

COMMENTARY

Published: 27 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Rohingya refugees are not a Thai problem, because heaven knows we are not equipped to handle it. Rather, it should be a problem for Asean, if not the world. After all, when you look past skin colour, religion and nationality (or lack thereof) of these unfortunate folks, they are just human beings looking for a home.

There are two relevant issues here: the first is the allegation that there are corrupt Thai police and military officials who are complicit in the sale of these refugees to human traffickers; the second is that nobody actually wants these refugees other than human traffickers.

If the allegations of complicity among police and military officials prove true, then it is a Thai problem. No one can help us but ourselves. Given the image of Thai officials, however, I don't expect anyone to gasp in disbelief and cry out in surprise if the allegations prove true.

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NangrongJ
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Discussion 11 : 27 Jan 2013 at 12.0711
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You cannot compare the USA with Thailand, that's hideous. The USA was built from scratch by immigrants and refugees. Thailand, in complete contrast is a traditional if not insular country.

As one who has experience of 38 countries to include 11 Arabic countries that's I've worked and lived in for many years I can tell you the doctrine of Islam is not to integrate. Another great country that was built from scratch by immigrant, Australia, is now finding out to its cost the problems of allowing groups in that will not integrate.

There are so many rich Muslim countries in the Gulf, they seem rather quiet on this one.
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rockderk
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Discussion 10 : 27 Jan 2013 at 11.5810
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It's hard to know exactly what has transpired regarding this latest Rohingya issue, as reports over the last several weeks have been vague and contradictory. One minute it's 'rescue' and the next 'arrest'. I had hoped your commentary might shed some light on the fishing fleet connection. Is a real audit under way to find the scope of bonded or slave labor, or not? What about Malay border immigration? Are they colluding with Thai officials or are they just unbelievably inept? Who the hell runs those Hat Yai warehouses where Malay guys go for their 'business trips'? How is it that 2 officials can be singled out before an investigation is begun?
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waters
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Discussion 9 : 27 Jan 2013 at 10.389
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For over 40 years the USA, with has a population 5 times larger than Thailand, has welcomed millions of political refugees from Laos, Hungary, Vietnam, Cuba, Iran, and a host of other countries. These refugees have collectively made America richer, not poorer. America isn't xenophobic like Thailand. And when minorities are persecuted, like in Kosovo, America didn't just close their eyes and pretend to not see what was happenning. They took action. Thailand whines about 1500 Burmese, because they have to feed them, 75 baht/day, and wants the world to sort it out. Press Burma, your 'new' business partner. They made the problem.
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NangrongJ
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Discussion 8 : 27 Jan 2013 at 10.018
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Why would Muslim refugees want to come to a non-Muslim country? Why aren't the Muslim countries; Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Pakistan to name but a few, taking them in?

Allowing more Muslims into Thailand is setting up a time bomb.
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pjt
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Discussion 7 : 27 Jan 2013 at 09.317
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It is hard to write about this without engendering feelings of guilt or howls of outrage. I cannot get to the bottom of why the Rohringya have become stateless and where they came from originally and why they left (albeit sometimes generations ago)? Was it out of choice or due to some form of persecution? What is it that causes them to be so unacceptable in destination countries such as Burma (or Thailand)? To take your spare bedroom analogy - we would only offer that to someone who we felt was compatible with us and our way of living. The move from guest to permanent live in should be done by mutual consent, with some compromise on each side
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waters
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Discussion 6 : 27 Jan 2013 at 08.486
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This artical overlooks one thing......it is Burma that should step up and repatriate these poor souls! It was Burma that prosecuted them and drove them out in the first place. Apply some pressure on Burma, either economically or politically, and withhold investment in that country until that regime repatriates these Rohingya and respects their human rights. But that would require Thailand to place principal before profit, which might never happen.
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thaigenius
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Discussion 5 : 27 Jan 2013 at 08.065
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Thailand can help their own people but chooses not too. Thailand is a rich country but plays poor.
Your last sentence "The world is the problem, but we're the ones who made this world." could very easily have read "The country (Thailand) is the problem, but we're the ones who made this country."
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kenny
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Discussion 4 : 27 Jan 2013 at 07.484
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In short, Thailand does not need another Muslim problem, as that's what the Rohingya will become if allowed to stay. Where ever Muslims go (usually starting out as refugee's) trouble will follow. It is the stated objective of the Muslim leadership to take over the world, when they achieve sufficient numbers they begin to demand law change, society change and eventually separatism.
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musashi
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Discussion 3 : 27 Jan 2013 at 05.393
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"Countries are willing to take in exiled dictators, despots on the run, monarchs on the move and billionaire fugitives, but not poor Rohingya refugees."

Surely the OIC, so often an eager critic of non-muslim governments over the treatment of muslims in their countries, will offer a hand to the Rohingyas? Surely, with the super rich oil nations backing the OIC, they can distribute the Rohingyas among themselves or pay Bangladesh to set up a new home for them?

The silence of the OIC has been deafening.
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bedouin
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Discussion 2 : 27 Jan 2013 at 05.282
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Would you take into your home a Thai orphan-or a Lao or Khmer? or do you just want the "world" to do it? Knowing they will not. Would you give a home to a homeless animal, a dog or cat or a bird?

Somebody HAS to do it!
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