BANGKOK, Jan 22 (TNA) — Acknowledging that there are several tens of thousands of illegal Rohingya immigrants living in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thursday he had advised the navy, marine police and government agencies concerned to establish a coastal security unit to prevent illegal boat people from entering Thailand.
Speaking to journalists after meeting with National Security Council officials, Mr. Abhisit said that national security, including the ongoing insurgency and related violence in the three southernmost provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala – as well as illegal entry by the Rohingya boat people were discussed at the meeting.
The government has asked the Foreign Affairs Ministry to explain to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the public the accusations against the Thai navy over the alleged maltreatment of Rohingya, said Mr. Abhisit.
Simultaneously, the root cause of the problem appears to relate to Myanmar, which must also be taken into consideration, he said.
Mr. Abhisit said he had ordered police and the National Intelligence Agency to investigate any Thai involvement in human trafficking and to also assess the setting up of a coastal security unit. Establishment of such a unit will help make operations more efficient.
The prime minister said he presumed there were human traffickers in Thailand and that concerned officials must take serious action against them because the presence of illegal migrants posed problems to the nation’s economy and stability.
Panithan Watanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister, said it was believed there were several tens of thousands of Rohingya living and working in Thailand, mainly in the southern coastal provinces of Ranong and Phangnga.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry will cooperate with the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), concerned police units and international agencies, in particular UNHCR, in solving the problem, said Mr. Panithan. (TNA)
Political News : Last Update : 15:11:02 22 January 2009 (GMT+7:00)