Burmese humanitarian workers in Tak warned against political activities
Posted on January 20, 2010
Filed Under Burma news, Mae Sot | 1 Comment
Burmese humanitarian workers have been warned they risk deportation if they become involved in Burmese political affairs. The Irrawaddy reports Gov. Samart Loyfa the governor of Tak Province said, “There are humanitarian workers involved in politics and formed organizations illegally. We need to investigate. If we find any violations of law, we have to kick them out of the country.”
Officials in Tak Province have been increasing their links with their Burmese counterparts over the last year. And The Irrawaddy quotes Burmese sources in Mae Sot as saying they believe the statement is a result of improved bilateral trade on the Thai-Burma border.
There are believed to be over 20 humanitarian organisations that help Burmese migrant workers in Mae Sot. Most are involved in providing health and education services to Burmese migrant workers.
However, some are involved in protecting worker’s legal rights, which has brought them into conflict with Thai businesses.
There are also several exile Burmese political groups, and the Burmese junta has in the past asked Thailand to not allow its soil to be used for anti-Burma political or military activities.
In March, Thailand warned leaders of the opposition Karen National Union (KNU) based in Mae Sot against using Thailand as a base to command Karen National Liberation Army units (see: Thais put KNU under pressure). The KNU have been engaged in an armed struggle with the Burmese government for over 60 years.
There are believed to be about 150,000 Burmese migrant workers in Mae Sot.
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