Thais to relocate Myanmar refugees

Thais to relocate Myanmar refugees

MAE SOT, Thailand (AFP): Thai authorities will relocate 400 Myanmar refugees to a western border camp despite opposition from businessmen who fear the move may anger Yangon, National Security Council (NSC) chief Khachadpai Burusapatana said on Thursday.

The refugees, ethnic Karen who immigrated illegally to Thailand, will be moved to the Umpiam refugee camp, near Mae Sot in the western Thailand province of Tak, he said.

But the decision to move them has met with strong opposition from local businessman in Tak, 370 kilometers from Bangkok, who fear the move could upset the Yangon junta.

Panithi Tangphati, chairman of Tak Chamber of Commerce, said Yangon might be upset at perceived harboring of refugees it considered criminals and close border checkpoints, hurting business.