OIC may step in to investigate Rohingya problem in Thailand

There is a likelihood that the Organisation  of Islamic Cooperation may send a representative to investigate the Rohingya problem in Thailand, according to Sunai Phasook, Thai representative of Human Rights Watch. 

          Sunai told Isra news agency that the Rohingya problem became an issue for discussion in the OIC and there was a good chance that the organization might send a representative to Thailand to investigate the case.

          He explained that the OIC had repeatedly expressed concern about the plight of the Rohingya people and had issued statements calling for Myanmar government to resolve the problem in Rakhine state where clashes were reported between Rohingya people and Myanmar Buddhists prompting the evacuation of tens of thousands of Rohingya people from the state.

          Sunai said that the OIC used to appeal to the Thai government not to force the Rohingya migrants out of the country but to provide temporary shelter for them and to treat them in accordance with human rights protocol.

          He went on saying that, from now on, Thailand would have to keep a close watch on Malaysia how the latter would react to the Rohingya problem – whether it would distance itself from the problem or whether it would step in to resolve the problem – because it has influence in the OIC.

          Meanwhile, the Thai police have stepped up pressure on a human trafficking racket responsible for smuggling in Rohingya people from Myanmar and keeping them in detention camps in southern Thailand, especially in Padang Besar of Songkhla for ransoms.  Due to the poor conditions of the slave-like detention camps and the exhaustive travelling to avoid detection, dozens of the Rohingya victims have died and their bodies buried in jungle graves.

          Police have so far issued arrest of 50 suspects involved in the trafficking racket with Mr Patchubun Angchotephan, former head of Satun Provincial Administration Organisation, being named as the ring leader.

          Patchubun or Ko Tong was accused of running a network of human traffickers scattering in Ranong, Phang-nga, Songkhla and Satun.  The racket was based in Satun with five small cells in the other three provinces.

          The five small cells are:

          -     Arbu Ha-ura’s cell in Kuan Don district.  Arbu is a member of Satun Provincial Administration Organisation and he is now under police custody.
          -    Anas Hayeemasae’s cell, also in Satun.  A member of Satun PAO, Anas controls five members, one of them Somyos Angchotephan who was already arrested by police.
          -    Wuthi Sa-nguannamsakul’s cell which comprises six members operating in Kuan Don district in Satun.
          -    Malay Toedin’s cell in Muang district of Satun.  It has six members, all of them family members.
          -    Por’s cell in Tha Pae district of Satun which has two members.

          The gang members in Phang-nga and Ranong would receive Rohingya people who left Rakhine state in Myanmar by boats that landed in Phang-nga or Ranong.  Then they were hidden in cars for the journey to Satun where they were kept at a detention camp at Khao Kaeo in Padang Besar.

          While waiting to be smuggled into Malaysia, the gang would extort ransoms from the victims’ families  in Myanmar or in third countries.  Those who are not strong enough or sick were left to rot and die in the camp.

          Patchubun is believed to have escaped to Malaysia and Thai police have asked their Malaysian counterpart for help to track him down to face charges of human trafficking, illegal detention and extortion.

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Caption : Sunai Phasook

Thanks : Image from internet