TMR urges the Thai PM to promptly prepare to respond to fallouts in the wake of the escalation of violence in Myanmar, particularly in Tak Province

Thailand Migration Reform Consortium (TMR) urges Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to respect principle of non-refoulement for Myanmar refugees, establish a taskforce in collaboration with all stakeholders, grant temporary stay, provide medical treatment and prevent infectious diseases. Additionally, we call for urgent diplomatic intervention to enable integrative discussions to find solutions in Myanmar Thailand Migration Reform (TMR)

11 April 2024

Dear Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin,

Subject: Promptly prepare to respond to fallouts in the wake of the escalation of violence in Myanmar, particularly in Tak Province

Given the escalation of violence at the Thailand-Myanmar border in Mae Sot District, Tak, since 1 April as the opposition armed forces, including the Karen National Union (KNU), the People's Defense Forces (PDF), and the Border Guard Force (BGF) have launched attacks against the Myanmar military bases around Myawaddy in Karen State and has since successfully and successively occupied the Myanmar military bases, this has caused an influx of Myanmar refugees who fled from unrest into the Thai territories. 77 of them have been sheltered in two temporary safe areas according to the Thai Border Command Center in Tak Province on the border situation in Tak Province no. 281, dated 9 April 2024, at 6.00 pm.?

Meanwhile, the Myanmar regime has sought permission to land the chartered flights of ATR 72-600 carrier type belonging to the Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) at the Mae Sot Airport between 7-9 April, reportedly to collect passengers and cargo in three flights altogether. Still, it appeared only one plane landed on the night of 7 April, and the details of the passengers and cargo airlifted were unproven.?

According to the latest update from the area (as of 10 April 2024), armed continued at the military posts of the Infantry Battalion 275 of the Union of Myanmar, about five kilometers from the border. The Myanmar regime still launched airstrikes against the opposition groups to offer protection to their military posts under the Infantry Battalion 275. As a result, around 4 am, a fire occurred at the buildings close to road access to the 2nd Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, about five kilometers from the Mae Sot. Meanwhile, there has been further reinforcement of the military forces of Myanmar in the Karen State.

As the two border crossings at Mae Sot are still open, many people of Myanmar still cross over from Myawaddy, partly getting a stamp on their Border Passes, which allow them to stay in Thailand for only seven days. But if the escalation gets worse, it might force the closure of the crossings, and as a result, the Myanmar border pass holders would become illegal immigrants in Thailand.?

The Thailand Migration Reform (TMR) anticipates that the situation in the border area opposite Mae Sot is tipped to become even more violent, and it would further send in more people from Myanmar who want to avoid being confronted with such a violent situation. Therefore, we demand the Thai government promptly prepare to respond to the situation, particularly on the following issues;?

1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must urgently set up a special task force to respond to the situation in Myanmar with members, including representatives from international organizations and academic and civil society sectors, to set out a response plan and participate in the decision-making.?
2. The Ministry of Interior via the Thai Border Command Center should promptly call a meeting to draw up an action plan for emergency response by involving representatives from local administration organizations, the private sector, civil society, and local humanitarian organizations and must instruct the Office of the National Security Council to open temporary crossings to facilitate the sending of humanitarian assistance urgently.?
3. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior must instruct the Provincial Governors, the District Chief Officers, police, and military personnel in border provinces to strictly apply Section 13 of the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance B.E. 2565 which upholds the non-refoulement principle aligned the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the UN Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT).?
4. The Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must promptly explore leeway through which people who fled from unrest in Myanmar can seek asylum temporarily for humanitarian reasons. This will guarantee a systematic response and management.?
5. The Ministry of Public Health must get prepared to ensure the prevention of infectious diseases at the border and to offer medical treatment to those getting injured from the violence.?
6. The National Security Council and the Ministry of Interior should propose to the cabinet to consider invoking Section 17 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 to allow aliens who have entered the kingdom without permission or whose permits have since expired, albeit given the necessity they have to flee from violence, or have to earn their living, or have to further their study, to be able to continue to live and work temporarily and later to have access to systematic management in response to the dire economic need in Thailand.?
7. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plays a leading role in facilitating negotiations between the Myanmar regime and the opposition, as well as coordinating with the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) to seek a political solution to the civil war in Myanmar, aiming to reduce violence that could affect the lives and well-being of the Myanmar people.

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