BANGKOK, Jan 30 – Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Wednesday that he will lead 15 envoys from Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries to the southern region to see for themselves the Thai government’s handling of Rohingya migrants and the situation in the insurgency-torn far South.
The minister, concurrent deputy premier, announced the move following the recent detentions of hundreds of Rohingya migrants by Thai authorities in the southern province of Ranong.
Mr Surapong said the Thai government initially agreed to take care of the detained Rohingya migrants for six months, with budget to be allocated at 75 baht per day for the living expenses of each person.
There are now 1,300 Rohingyas under the supervision of the Thai authorities, the minister said. Men are detained at immigration bureau compounds in the localities, while women and children are staying at shelters for woman and children operated by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
The minister said he will take the 15 ambassadors and representatives of the OIC member countries to the areas to observe the problems tomorrow.
Mr Surapong said he assigned Thailand’s permanent-secretary for foreign affairs to coordinate with international human rights bodies seeking help for the Rohingya migrant problems as well as sending them on to third countries.
In addition, the foreign minister said he also sought cooperation from his Myanmar counterpart to consider returning the migrants to Myanmar, but their safety must be guaranteed.
Mr Surapong said he will travel to the southern border provinces with the OIC envoys to follow up the Thai government’s attempt to solve the violence in the region and seek their advice for the operations.
