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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sirron
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Discussion 21 : 28 Jan 2013 at 07.3821
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Their religion is different and they never had any sort of ties to the US, but, otherwise, does anyone see a situation similar to the "Vietnamese Boat People" developing?
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drsmith
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Discussion 20 : 27 Jan 2013 at 22.4020
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Any arrests or charges for human trafficking brought against the Army officials and the plantation owner? Of course not. It is ok for Thai's to sell these people but not OK to help them. That has to be the most illogical thinking I have ever heard of but it defines modern day Thailand. Thai people traffic their own 12 year old daughters to prostitution, so selling complete strangers like the Ronhingya to slavery are probably viewed as fair fame. Thai's greed for money at the expense of human decency is just appalling, shameful and depicts a morality void society.
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markm
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Discussion 19 : 27 Jan 2013 at 20.3519
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I think help can come from understanding.

A lot of problems, I believe, come from thinking badly about people you've never met.

With regard to ethnic groups, I think we need to be careful of generalising on the basis of the actions of a few members.
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musashi
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Discussion 18 : 27 Jan 2013 at 18.0918
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Honzad #13: ""I have a spare room but they can't have it" is totally pathetic."

If you have a spare room, and kindly let them stay in it for a while, they will soon want:

1. Separatism of the room from the rest of the house.
2. All the occupants of the house follow what they do.

The crux of the problem is that muslim refugees and immigrants are not able to assimilate with their host countries. Their “either us or nothing” ideology means – the Thai government must either be prepared that these Rohingyas will be part of the southern insurgency or be firm and ship them out soon.
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bucktoui
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Discussion 17 : 27 Jan 2013 at 17.5317
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As a Laotian Refugee and have a missing brother(presume death or was sold to be slave labor in Thai Rubber Plantation), I feel really sad and sorry for these Rohingyas. 150 years ago ten of thousands Lao people were forced or moved to middle and south of Thailand during establishment of Thonbury and Rattanagosinh sure there were blood, tear and sweat were shed. Now those Lao people are Thai (with or without papers)and no more number tattooed on their arms. We as refugee in America some do better some worst, but as human being we fight to survive. I hope Western and Islam countries give them a chance to survive; Thailand can not take it alone.
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ricardofel
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Discussion 16 : 27 Jan 2013 at 17.2216
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In NYC alone there are over 100 different people from countries around the world!!!!! Immigrants they are! Throughout America there are over 1,000,000 immigrants living in the USA. Fences are needed along the Mexican border or there would be an influx that the US could not manage.
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CMfarang
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Discussion 15 : 27 Jan 2013 at 16.1715
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I have problem with people who would show up at your doorstep, you feel sorry and take them in, shelter and feed them, then they complain - not enough!
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patchar
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Discussion 14 : 27 Jan 2013 at 16.0214
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All these problems lies within us. The earth is more than enough for everybody to live with but we wanted and asked more than what we really need, making other people have nothing.
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honzad
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Discussion 13 : 27 Jan 2013 at 15.1713
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It's touching to see the casual anti-Muslim racism from the commentators on this site. It's perhaps worth remembering that between 5-10% of Thais are also Muslims. Also that Rohingya have also landed in Malaysia where they are treated much better. Or that when Vietnamese refugees landed in Thailand they were treated appallingly (when they weren't robbed and murdered at sea by Thai pirates). I usually respect this opinion writer but the argument that "I have a spare room but they can't have it" is totally pathetic. This is about the responsible behaviour of nations towards refugees, not your apartment.
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drsmith
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Discussion 12 : 27 Jan 2013 at 14.2612
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"it's a shame that we aren't equipped to help them". I think the correct statement is no one in Thailand wants to help them or their own ethnic Thai's. Thai's are very racist, even against dark skinned people from Isaan. One thing is true about Thailand? If there is no money to be made, then Thailand is not equipped to help. Throw billions of dollars in assistance out there and I think you would see Thailand become equipped to help overnight. Foreigners of all kind are discriminated against in Thailand, because of Thai arrogance thinking they are the greatest. Thai's these days won't even help each other, unless money is involved.
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The problem of the Rohingya | Bangkok Post: opinion