BKK POST: Thailand asks Burma govt

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

February 22, 1998


                                      



                       SALWEEN / FIASCO HEATS UP

              Thailand asks
              Burma govt to
              stop exodus of
              workers

              Thailand will ask the Burmese government to help discourage its
              people from seeking illegal work in Thailand, Foreign Ministry
              spokesman Kobsak Chutikul said. In particular, Burmese
              authorities will be asked to deter its nationals who go home for
              nine days during the Songkran festival in April from returning to
              Thailand, Mr Kobsak added.

              In December last year, an estimated 1,500 Burmese went back
              to Burma daily, according to Immigration Department figures
              quoted by Mr Kobsak.

              The Burmese went back of their own accord because the
              economic downturn in Thailand forced the closure of a number
              of factories and there was no work for them, he said.

              Referring to official Burmese media criticism of recent
              repatriations from Thailand, Mr Kobsak cited Prime Minister
              Chuan Leekpai as emphasising that the repatriation of illegal
              workers was normal legal practice.

              Burmese authorities should take an interest in their own people,
              rather than refusing to take them back, he quoted the prime
              minister as saying.




                                      




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Last Modified: Sun, Feb 22, 1998