Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CHIANGMAI17
2007-01-26 09:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Chiang Mai
Cable title:  

CONTINUED REFUGEE FLOWS WORRY THAI OFFICIALS

Tags:  PREF TH 
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VZCZCXRO9278
PP RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHCHI #0017 0260920
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 260920Z JAN 07
FM AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0379
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK PRIORITY 0643
RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI PRIORITY 0420
UNCLAS CHIANG MAI 000017 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF TH
SUBJECT: CONTINUED REFUGEE FLOWS WORRY THAI OFFICIALS

REF: (06) CHIANG MAI 212 - MORE DISPLACED KAREN SEEK SHELTER ALONG THAI-BURMA BORDER

Sensitive; not for internet distribution; not for distribution
outside the USG.

UNCLAS CHIANG MAI 000017

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF TH
SUBJECT: CONTINUED REFUGEE FLOWS WORRY THAI OFFICIALS

REF: (06) CHIANG MAI 212 - MORE DISPLACED KAREN SEEK SHELTER ALONG THAI-BURMA BORDER

Sensitive; not for internet distribution; not for distribution
outside the USG.


1. (U) Continued new refugee arrivals along the Burma border are
of increasing concern to Thai officials, who are struggling to
deal with the problems caused by the permanence of the camps as
well as the steady inflows.


2. (SBU) According to Wachira Chotirosseranee, Camp Commander
of Site 1 Pang Khwai/Nai Soi refugee camp in Mae Hong Son,
officials once primarily focused on providing immediate
assistance such as food and shelter now face more complicated
problems caused by the longevity of the refugee camp population.
Issues include legal status, especially for children born and
raised in the camp, violence in the family, and economic
pressures to seek jobs outside of the camp. Coupled with an
ever increasing number of camp residents as a result of both
natural growth and new arrivals, Thai officials are reportedly
less patient with what they see as a protracted, unending burden
of refugees.


3. (SBU) Wachira described to Consulate staff a November 22,
2006 visit by Ministry of Interior (MOI) Deputy Permanent
Secretary Phirapol Traithasawit to the Karenni camp in Amphoe

SIPDIS
Muang Mae Hong Son for the opening of the UNHCR-funded and
International Rescue Committee-run Legal Aid Program. The MOI
official questioned why the camp population continued to surge
at the worrisome rate of 50 persons a month and instructed the
camp commander to control and reduce the number of new arrivals.
Wachira, who traveled to the U.S. in 2005 on the
International Visitor program, instead resorted to a kind of
human shell game, transferring some newcomers to stay with
families inside the camp but outside of the reception area.


4. (SBU) Wachira expressed concern about an estimated 2,000
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) gathered at Ei Tu Ko on the
Burmese side of the Salween River (reftel),noting that this
group may cross into Mae La Oun camp south of Mae Sariang.
Additional problems are caused by refugees who sneak into camps
without notifying officials, a detour past the reception step
that jeopardizes health prevention efforts, particularly in
communicable diseases.


5. (U) Reviewing Thai efforts to deal with refugee issues,
Wachira described an earlier policy to reduce the number of
camps and signal Thailand's limited capacity after years of
inflows over its borders. Now resettlement is underway,
although additional efforts are necessary with third countries
in addition to the U.S., which currently offers the largest
resettlement program from Tham Hin and Mae La camps. In the
end, he said, Thailand needs to foster democratic development
inside Burma in the hope that national reconciliation will
induce displaced persons to return home.

CAMP