Thailand has about 100.000 Refugees in Refugee Camps
Thailand has about 10,000 Urban Refugees living in poor areas of big cities.
Thailand is a beautiful country but it has lots of problems, too. It is a country known for its kind, generous and loving people and is called a “country of smiles “ But – Thailand has its dark side.
It does not recognize Asylum Seekers or Refugees need for any right to safety or protection. They do not accept any international human rights or intent to follow those laws. They do not like Refugees nor do they want them in their country.
Thailand has many international organizations living there. They work with the poor in their country and run orphanages and work with refugees. Thailand accepts their help as the country is still developing and needs help. They leave these international workers alone and let them do their work. Thailand smiles for these people. Who else would feed the children who are starving or teach them to read? There is a real problem with poverty and lack of education and human trafficking in that country.
They also accept that refugees are there but reality is they don’t want them there and they let them know it. Refugees live under constant silent and often very visible harassment and fear -while living there. Thailand is not smiling at them. In fact, Thailand would rather get rid off each one of them. They think, Refugees take space and create problems. Thailand does not give refugees any help. Immigration Police will raid the apartment buildings where poor people live and as refugees live in the same areas it is easy to find them. They take people to prison and that includes mothers with babies and little children.
Their only crime Is that they are REFUGEES!!!
Thailand shares border with Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and China. They get lots of Refugees from those countries. Many of the Refugees fly over from other countries and come with tourist visa and apply for Refugee Status
The sad thing is these people escaped their home country because their home country hated them so much, they wanted to kill them. And then the host country puts them in Prison for seeking protection. Talk about kindness to suffering people. Put them in Prison !!
THEIR ONLY CRIME IS THAT THEY ARE REFUGEES. THEY GO TO PRISON FOR THAT !!!
They try to kill you in your home country– it is your problem. Sorry…buddy…it is your problem. How is that for hospitality???
All of a sudden, the “country of many smiles” -shows the sun has gone down. Nobody is smiling. We hear mothers and children crying.
Problem with being a Refugee is that they cannot work. That means no money. So…. now they sit in Prison. Filthy, rat-infested Prisons. With 100 people in one room. With criminals and murderers and very little food. How is that for hospitality? Children and women there ?
How to get out of Prison ? You must pay a small fortune in Thai money to get out …but in Canadian dollars it would be $ 1.800 per person. With Mom and two kids that is a lot. Remember they do NOT have money. Family can eat for $ 100 / month and they ask $ 1,800 per person. These people have become beggars and must suffer the humiliation of being dependent on outside help for daily food and now…they want money a total of $ 1,800 .dollars .If you are lucky someone pays the Bail and you get out.
So…many stay in prison for years because bail money must be paid and unless it is paid you stay. It is that simple. Paying the Bail- gives you document and with that document you have protection. You will not be put in prison, again. So, your bail money and certificate become your protection for the future. They can harass you in other ways but at least you stay out of prison.
First you are punished in your home country and when you escape to save your life – you are harassed in the host country. I think, that sounds like a real nightmare
Don’t you think ???