Myanmar refugees face precarious life in Thailand

(CLO) Since the military coup four years ago, millions of Myanmar people have abandoned their homes and fled the country to seek safety in neighboring countries.

Thailand, a popular destination, has become a haven for millions of Myanmarese fleeing violence and unwanted military service. But their lives here are not easy.

Refugees face a host of new problems, from the risk of extortion and labor abuse to missing out on crucial years of education.

Myanmar people queue outside the Royal Thai Embassy to apply for visas. Photo: Facebook/Kannavee Suebsang

According to the United Nations, more than 3.7 million people from Myanmar, mostly young people, have migrated to Thailand by 2023, seeking jobs and new opportunities while escaping devastating war and military rule.

However, this migration route is not easy. Migrants face dangerous and expensive journeys through illegal routes, paying bribes to officials and brokers to find work and shelter.

According to the International Organization for Migration, about 60% of Myanmar migrants in Thailand do not have valid identification documents. Although Thailand has implemented a temporary work permit system to streamline the flow of workers, many migrants are still pushed into the underground economy .

They work in backbreaking jobs on construction sites, farms and factories, often facing abuse and underpaid workers. Many migrants also face challenges accessing formal education .

Another big issue for migrants is the cost of travel. To escape Myanmar, a person can pay around $600 for the trip across the border, a large sum for poor people.

Patima Tungpuchayakul, from the Labour Protection Network (LPN), said Myanmar migrant workers and youth are important to the Thai economy, but without proper support policies, they will continue to live in poverty and precarious conditions.

Ngoc Anh (according to SCMP, AFP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nguoi-ti-nan-myanmar-doi-mat-voi-cuoc-song-bap-benh-o-thai-lan-post332598.html