ID :
149252
Tue, 11/09/2010 - 13:51
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http://m.oananews.org//node/149252
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Thailand will not forcibly push Myanmar people back until situation eases
BANGKOK, Nov 9 - Thailand will not forcibly push some 20,000 Myanmar people who fled fighting between ethnic armed forces and Myanmar government troops back to their homeland but will provide them with initial humanitarian aid until the situation in the neighbouring country eases, according to acting Thai government spokesman.
Panitan Wattanayagorn made his remarks after Myanmar people living along the Thai-Myanmar border fled into Thai territory on Monday following clashes between the Myanmar armed forces and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) ethnic splinter faction at the Myanmar border town of Myawaddy after its first election in 20 years on Sunday.
Shells fell into Thai territory at Mae Sot across the Moei River in the northern province of Tak, injuring scores of people in the area.
Dr Panitan said nearly 20,000 Myanmar have sought shelter in Thailand now and the Thai officials have provided them basic humanitarian aid.
"Initially, the situation has not yet eased, Thailand will not push these people back to Myanmar," said the spokesman.
Dr Panitan, deputy secretary general to the prime minister, said Thailand has experience in handling this kind of situation and will not seek help from international organisations although there are some problems regarding the temporary accommodation.
The government spokesman also warned local residents to evacuate from the fighting areas for their safety, adding that the Myanmar forces are now retaking the areas back from the ethnic minority.
Meanwhile, Supreme Commander Gen Songkitti Jaggabatara said Thailand is ready to provide temporary shelter for Myanmar people but will not set up any new refugee camp.
Gen Songkitti said the Myanmar people will be returned to their country once the situation resumes normal, while vowing that foreign armed forces will not be allowed to enter Thai territory.
The commander said the latest situation remains calm after Monday several clashes and most Myanmar people who fled into Thailand were children, women and elderly people.
Regarding the causes of the fighting, Gen Songkitti said Thailand will not interfere as it is Myanmar's internal affairs.
Gen Songkitti added the temporary shelter is now supervised by the Red Cross and concerned officials, while ruling out need for intervention of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Gunfire was heard from Myanmar territory adjacent to Thailand's western province of Kanchanaburi, and M-79 grenades landed on the Thai side. Kanchanaburi authorities on Tuesday announced that Sangkhlaburi district is now a danger zone from the fighting as more refugees stream into Thailand.
The supreme commander added that the 2nd and 3rd Army Areas are now monitoring situation along the Thai-Myanmar border and will strictly follow the country's defence plan under the framework of the Royal Thai Army operations centre. (MCOT online news)
Panitan Wattanayagorn made his remarks after Myanmar people living along the Thai-Myanmar border fled into Thai territory on Monday following clashes between the Myanmar armed forces and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) ethnic splinter faction at the Myanmar border town of Myawaddy after its first election in 20 years on Sunday.
Shells fell into Thai territory at Mae Sot across the Moei River in the northern province of Tak, injuring scores of people in the area.
Dr Panitan said nearly 20,000 Myanmar have sought shelter in Thailand now and the Thai officials have provided them basic humanitarian aid.
"Initially, the situation has not yet eased, Thailand will not push these people back to Myanmar," said the spokesman.
Dr Panitan, deputy secretary general to the prime minister, said Thailand has experience in handling this kind of situation and will not seek help from international organisations although there are some problems regarding the temporary accommodation.
The government spokesman also warned local residents to evacuate from the fighting areas for their safety, adding that the Myanmar forces are now retaking the areas back from the ethnic minority.
Meanwhile, Supreme Commander Gen Songkitti Jaggabatara said Thailand is ready to provide temporary shelter for Myanmar people but will not set up any new refugee camp.
Gen Songkitti said the Myanmar people will be returned to their country once the situation resumes normal, while vowing that foreign armed forces will not be allowed to enter Thai territory.
The commander said the latest situation remains calm after Monday several clashes and most Myanmar people who fled into Thailand were children, women and elderly people.
Regarding the causes of the fighting, Gen Songkitti said Thailand will not interfere as it is Myanmar's internal affairs.
Gen Songkitti added the temporary shelter is now supervised by the Red Cross and concerned officials, while ruling out need for intervention of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Gunfire was heard from Myanmar territory adjacent to Thailand's western province of Kanchanaburi, and M-79 grenades landed on the Thai side. Kanchanaburi authorities on Tuesday announced that Sangkhlaburi district is now a danger zone from the fighting as more refugees stream into Thailand.
The supreme commander added that the 2nd and 3rd Army Areas are now monitoring situation along the Thai-Myanmar border and will strictly follow the country's defence plan under the framework of the Royal Thai Army operations centre. (MCOT online news)
