On 23 January 2009, as earlier instructed by Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, invited the Ambassadors of Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Malaysia as well as the Charge d’affaires of Myanmar to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consultations on the issue of Rohingya illegal migrants. After the said meeting, Mr. Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gave a press conference, gist as follows:
- The Permanent Secretary highlighted that the issue of Rohingya illegal migrants has a regional dimension affecting various countries, especially the countries of origin, transit and destination. Thailand has become an entry and transit point, with flows numbering several thousands each year. Although Thailand is not the intended destination for Rohingyas, it is estimated that up to 20,000 illegal Rohingya migrants have entered Thailand over the years and remain within the Kingdom -- as distinguished from recent arrivals of whom none presently remain in Thailand.
- It is believed that smuggling and trafficking networks are involved in organizing or facilitating these flows.
- Mr. Virasakdi proposed that the six countries concerned cooperate in order to jointly address this issue. Intelligence and information, including on each country’s standard operating procedures (SOPs), should be exchanged. In this connection, Thailand offered to host the first working-level meeting among the six countries, should the proposal receive support. The envoys welcomed the Thai proposal and would convey it to their respective capitals for consideration.
- In the longer term, for a lasting solution to be achieved, the root cause of the problem would have to be addressed, including the situation of the Rohingyas in their areas of origin.
- In response to questions from the media regarding the possible role of the UNHCR, the Ministry Spokesperson said that dialogues between Thailand the UNHCR were already on-going for quite sometime, in both Bangkok and Geneva. Thailand believes that the UNHCR could play a role in mobilizing resources from the international community to help promote better livelihoods for the Rohingyas in their areas of origin.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
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