Besides handling current crisis of boat people from Burma, Thai government is also concerned how to handle over two million Burmese illegal and registered migrant workers, said a Thai government official from foreign ministry who didn't want to be named. Thai's economic downturn and unfinished political crisis also pressured the government to apply tougher policy towards Burmese, Laotians and Cambodians who seek a better paid job in Thailand.
Thai middle class showed their intolerance towards migrants from the neighboring countries lately. Locally, there are so many cases against the migrant workers, bullies, discrimination and other racial disputes. Authorities also used hush punishment against the Burmese illegal migrant workers in Chiang Mai after two Burmese migrants raped and killed a female student near Chiang Mai last few weeks ago. Local judges rejected the bills for rest of the Burmese migrant workers, said a local Thai NGO worker.
Displaced Burmese children in Ranoung district
"We do not want to be scapegoat between Thai political conflict by former prime minster and current government. Both sides wanted to show Nationalism and illegal migrants are becoming a political issue for them. Yet, Gay Parade in Chiang Mai was called off because anti-government Red-shirt group forced them to call off." said local human rights worker.
Unconfirmed source said Thai authorities have negotiated with Burmese counterparts for all migrant workers needed Burmese ID to apply a temporary work permit in 2009-2010. Under the new law, Burmese migrant workers would be permitted to go back to the border towns in Burmese side and getting a Burmese travel document/ID in Burmese, English and Thai. Then ID card holders could come back to Thailand with it. Thai authorities would not allow extending work permit without Burmese travel documents/ID for passing border checkpoints.
If this would be reality, many Burmese could not able to receive it in terms of cost and traveling matters. And, yet, Burmese local and immigration authorities would make money out of it. "Most of the Burmese do not want to deal with Burmese authorities and live there thus they are here." What about children? Questioned a local NGO.
Photo credit: The Nation
