Shan leaders offer hand in handling migrants

Laughingly brushing aside local media accusations that Shan resistance members could have been involved in the rape and murder of a university student in Chiangmai almost two weeks ago, Shan State Army (SSA) South leader said yesterday he was ready to cooperate with Thai authorities in dealing with the migrant population from Burma’s Shan State.

Col Yawdserk

“There are three categories of migrants in Thailand,” the 52-year old Col Yawdserk told SHAN during a telephone interview:

* “Those who come to work due to Burmese economy mismanaged by the ruling junta

* Those who are fleeing political persecutions, and

* Those who are fugitive criminals.”

His suggestion is to set up holding centers for people coming from Shan State either on the border where the SSA will be able to take care of them directly “or in Chiangmai” where civil society organizations can help.

“They will be properly registered and given proper instructions as to how to live and work in Thailand. Companies looking for inexpensive labor can then make contact with the centers,” he said. “As for children, they will be given proper education to prepare them for their return to their homeland.”

Copied from ShanLand.Org