Ranong keeps close eye on 2,000 Rohingya migrants trying to enter Thai sea

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BANGKOK, 21 May 2015 – The national security department in Ranong province has instructed local authorities to monitor the illegal migration situation after it was informed that more than 2,000 Rohingya people would enter the Thai territorial sea from 29 May to 3 June 2015.

Deputy Director of the Ranong Internal Security Operations Command Col. Suthiphong Chingphakdi said he had asked all relevant units in the province to adhere to the government’s policy on Rohingya migrants and human rights. Rohigya boat people must be prevented from entering the country and denied entry immediately, the official added.

The Thai authorities would discourage them from trying to come ashore and provide them with food, drinking water, medicines and fuel so that they would be able to travel to the third country, the deputy director said.

On 29 May 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand will host the special meeting on irregular migration in the Indian Ocean. The meeting will be attended by 18 countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, the U.S. amd Switzerland and relevant international organizations such as the UNHCR, IOM and UNODC.