October 01, 2007—Thai authorities arrested illegal migrant workers in Mae Sot District before a brief protest demonstration against the Burmese junta by migrant workers on Sunday.
At the same time, the Bangkok police chief says he will not obstruct such demonstrations if they follow Thai law.
Gov Chumporn Ponrak of Tak Province ordered local authorities in Mae Sot District’s border with Myawaddy Township in Burma to restrict the movement of Burmese migrant workers in the area, over fears anti-junta protests may affect the bilateral relationship.
“Provincial officials have contacted employers to tell Burmese worker to respect Thai law, and officials only allow peaceful gatherings such as praying in temples,” Chumporn told the INN News Web site.
The concern followed a brief anti-junta protest on Sunday by about 200 migrant workers in Mae Sot, where there are more than 50,000 Burmese laborers currently working in several industries. Many migrants are legal workers, while others are without documents.
A source told The Irrawaddy that almost all of the people at the demonstration were Burmese workers who wanted to express their concerns about the bloodshed in Burma.
“They were brave to come out together because some of them have no working documents,” said the source.
Pol Lt Col Man Ratanapratheep, the deputy police chief of Mae Sot, said some Burmese illegal migrants who were passing out leaflets were arrested before the demonstration and would be sent back to Burma, according to INN News.
On Monday, Police Chief Pol Gen Seripisut Temiyawet said authorities will not obstruct migrant workers demonstrations against the junta in Bangkok.
“Every group of people can express their opinions without interference. But authorities will see that the demonstrations follow Thai law,” he said.
Meanwhile, representatives from 40 Sangha and Buddhist organizations have posted a letter to the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok urging the military government to stop violence against monks and demonstrators. The letter was mailed in front of the embassy.
Thai and international Buddhist monks will hold religious ceremonies for peace in Burma at Sanam Laung park in Bangkok on Sunday.