Thai refugees in good condition: UN

Thai refugees in good condition: UN

MALAYSIA: Officials from the United Nations refugee agency said on Wednesday that 131 Thai Muslims who entered Malaysia to flee escalating violence in southern Thailand were in good condition as officials begin meeting and interviewing the refugees.

A delegation from the Kuala Lumpur office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) arrived in Malaysia's northern Kelantan state Tuesday to begin the interviews, an official from the agency said.

The Thai refugees had crossed over to Malaysia on Thursday, claiming they were fleeing violence and persecution from Thai security forces, who have been accused of targeting Moslems in their bid to quell an insurgency in the south.

The 64 men, 24 women and 43 children are being sheltered at the Tanah Merah immigration transit center in Kelantan, the Star daily reported.

Thai authorities expressed concern Tuesday that the UNHCR involvement would be exploited by Moslem militants seeking to paint the southern situation as one of political and religious persecution. -- DPA