Veera Prateepchaikul column: Saudi rejection of Thai maids blessing in disguise | Bangkok Post: opinion

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Saudi rejection of Thai maids blessing in disguise

Thankfully, Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry has rejected a request by the country's own labour ministry to lift the ban on the recruitment of Thai maids - after other countries cut off the supply because of the high level of abuse.

Although no reason was given for the Saudi interior ministry’s rejection of the request, it is widely understood that it has something to do with the unresolved crimes committed by Thai citizens - notably the theft of jewellery from the Riyadh palace of Prince Faisal, including a priceless “blue diamond”, by Thai janitor Kriangkrai Techamong, the murders in 1989 and 1990 of four Saudi diplomats in Bangkok and the disappearance in Thailand of Saudi businessman Mohammad al-Ruwaili in 1990. 

These cases all contributed to the souring of relations between Thailand and Saudi Arabia, and the banning of Thai workers.

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  • soloudbkk

    ThailandPost : 8

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    Discussion 5 : 14 Mar 2013 at 01.085

    Very good points Khun Veera. As to the poor relationship between Thailand and the Saudi Kingdom- it's too bad that the United States didn't react similarly as the Saudis and cut off relations when 3000 of Americans were killed by the Saudi 15 (of the 19 hijackers) on 9/11. Saudi hypocrisy is repugnant, but Thailand really lucked out on this issue!

  • garabaldi

    ThailandPost : 173

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    Discussion 4 : 13 Mar 2013 at 23.354

    The case of Saudi Arabia, the murders of its diplomats, and the failure of our Government to make any progress in the case of the murders and of the stolen jewelry is the shame of Thailand. Meanwhile the abuse of women workers and their execution in Saudi Arabia is the shame of Saudi Arabia. Certainly, the latter crime is the greater, and it is altogether reasonable that Asian countries, including Thailand protect their women by preventing their departure for a country where their lives are in danger. Meanwhile, why cannot we respond to the legitimate complaints of the Saudis, give them justice for the murders, and return them their jewelry?

  • jakeelwood

    ThailandPost : 37

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    Discussion 3 : 13 Mar 2013 at 17.363

    Have to agree with this article where maids are concerned - do not send your daughters there! Maids are raped & abused as normal practice. However Veera states, "Despite Thailand’s tireless efforts to mend the fence with Riyadh.." Just how do you define 'tireless'? Does this involve promoting the Thais involved in the murders and hardly making an effort to solve any of the crimes? This diplomatic situation does not just affect maids working in Saudi, it also prevents Saudis from visiting Thailand for anything but approved business. Imagine the losses in revenue from tourism and medical tourism, all for the sake of protecting a few bad peopl

  • bew

    TaiwaPost : 56

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    Discussion 2 : 13 Mar 2013 at 12.272

    Most Isan women have no idea about the high risks of working in Saudi Arabia, just the rosy picture painted by the recruitment agents. => You better say most Isan workers doesn't want to hear about the high risks of working abroads. They just want to believe their friend and the rosy picture painted by the recruitment agents. Thailand’s tireless efforts to rescue Thai workers, especially Thai women who are abused overseas seem to be useless.

  • waters

    ThailandPost : 503

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    Discussion 1 : 13 Mar 2013 at 11.151

    Well spoken, and I heartily agree 100%.

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