BANGKOK—Burmese migrants working at fisheries, rubber plantations and construction sites in southern Thailand have been unable to work and are suffering financial hardship due to unseasonably heavy rain and serious flooding in the area, according to sources.

Thai media reported that at least 21 people have died and thousands been stranded in the country’s coastal provinces of Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Trang, Krabi and Patthalung because of heavy rains and three-meter-high waves. In addition, it reported that two people died and 20 went missing as a result of a landslide in Krabi.

“Landslides and flooding occurred following five days of torrential rainstorms. Roads were also destroyed. We have lost contact with some workers in the south. We were informed that Burmese migrants working in those provinces have faced hardships under bad weather,” said Myint Wai, the deputy director of Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma.

He said assistance to migrant workers from Burma, Laos and Cambodia has yet to be provided although rescue and relief efforts for tourists and local Thai people have been underway.

“It has been about a week that we can’t go out to sea for fishing. We can’t do anything under the gale. Boats in the sea are currently taking shelter at nearby islands. It means we haven’t had a job and earned money for many days,” said Khaing Kyaw Than, a Burmese fisherman in Chumphon.

He said Burmese migrants from Magwe and Tavoy in Tenessarim Division, Arakan State, Mon State and Karen State are working in the fish industry in southern Thailand.

Than Maung, a senior mason in Phuket Province, told The Irrawaddy that most of the Burmese migrants there do not have savings or extra money in hand as they regularly send their earnings to their families in Burma. They are now in trouble because they do not have any work, he said.

“We can’t even go out easily because of heavy rain and floods. Construction work cannot be done while it’s raining. The area is also flooded now so we had to stop working. All construction work in Phuket has ceased,” said Than Maung.

Mi Mi Khaing, a female worker at a rubber plantation, said heavy rain has doubled her trouble.

“We can’t collect rubber milk while it’s raining. It means we don’t earn any money. I heard bean plantations in my village have been affected by the rain. So I don’t know how my family will survive as I don’t think I can send any cash this month,” said Mi Mi Khaing.

In addition, Burmese migrants in Koh Thong, located near the city of Ranong, are reportedly facing a food shortage because they normally buy food in Ranong but are currently unable to reach the city.

According to Thailand-based labor organizations, an estimate 2.5—4 million Burmese migrants are currently working in Thailand.

By BA SAW TIN Thursday, March 31, 2011