Page 126 - A Helping Hand for Refugees

The first stop of the Rohingyas after putting to sea is usually Thailand. However,
the Thai government no longer allows the entry of refugees. The disturbing sto-
ries of human traffickers make the situation more serious.

Another Police Colonel, Sanya Prakobphol, added, "If they come in
then we must push them back ... once they have crossed the sea border into
Myanmar then that's considered pushing them back. What they do next is
their problem." 11

E Endangered lives on one hand, profit on the

other

While the Thai junta is either deporting refugees or leaving them
at sea, the human-smuggling in the country is a growing business. It
is so profitable a job that fisherman are converting their boats in order

to carry as many boat people as possible.

124 A Helping Hand for Refugees