[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
Bangkok Post: Burma
August 8, 1998
BURMA
Educating our
unfortunate guests
Nussara Sawatsawang
A decade after Burma's pro-democracy students fled violent
suppression in their homeland, Thailand is only now beginning to think
about how to help these people prepare for their future.
The idea of giving Burmese, whose studies were disrupted by the
events that climaxed on August 8, 1988, a chance to pursue higher
education in Thailand is being developed by foreign ministry officials at
Saranrom.
Supporters believe it will help foster better understanding between
Thailand and Burma in the long term as these Burmese are expected to
return to their homeland eventually.
"They will be grateful while they are here [in Thailand]," an official said,
suggesting that Thai authorities offer a choice that includes vocational
and military studies.
As of June, 505 Burmese students have registered with the Interior
Ministry and have been living in a 'safe camp' in Ratchaburi province.
However, the real figure is believed to be much higher as many
students shun the safe camp option, seeing it as restrictive. Initially,
many of the students who fled the suppression 10 years ago joined
ethnic minorities in Thai-Burmese border areas to take up arms against
Rangoon.
The Burmese students in Thailand were among leaders of the popular
uprising which forced Gen Ne Win to step down after enjoying
uncontested power over the country for 26 years. The general's
decision ended the isolationist Burmese Way to Socialism he had
applied since 1962 that is largely blamed for leading a country
endowed with valuable natural resources down the path to the least
developed country status of the United Nations.
The economic problems that stemmed from the Ne Win way fuelled
the uprising. These included shortages of essential goods, skyrocketing
rice prices and demonetisation in 1987, the second time in three years,
which brought poverty overnight and built up public anger.
The catalyst for violent clashes however, was a tea-shop scuffle on 12
March, 1988 in which a policeman shot dead a student from the
Rangoon Institute of Technology. According to Martin Smith, a
leading writer on Burmese politics, 3,000 people were killed in the
suppression by Burmese military authorities of mass demonstrations,
from August 8, 1988. The rallies drew teachers, doctors, monks,
workers and even civil servants onto the streets.
The idea of offering those students who fled to Thailand a higher
education has strong support from Charnvit Kasetsiri, a historian and
Burma observer from Thammasat University, and a Burmese student,
but mixed reactions from Thai students.
In Dr Charnvit's view, "if the Thai government has a long-term view, it
ought to let them go back with gratitude rather than with hatred for the
bad treatment they receive".
The present policy of keeping on the good side of the military junta
while being to a degree reserved about the students and other
refugees, he said, reflected Thailand's acceptance of the status quo.
Delighted with the idea, Aung Naign Oo, foreign affairs secretary of
the All Burma Students Democratic Front, urged the government to
come up with a "concrete" proposal.
Also supportive was Thasanee Thipsopha, a fourth-year student with
Thammasat University's Faculty of Political Science. She believes that
educating Burmese students will widen their perspective and help them
work for their country's good.
The doubters include Arthit Sirisalu, of the same faculty, who
questioned the usefulness of the idea if the confrontation between the
military government and the opposition brought no change.
Wongpitch Maneesa-ard, a second year Political Science student, said
the government should give priority to Thai students, many of whom
still lack funds to continue their studies. She was also unsure if
Burmese students would return home after receiving a Thai education.
Decha Amornsrisook, from the Faculty of Science, suggested that
conditions be placed on the offer. Young Burmese should in some way
compensate for their education, he said. However, he preferred the
repatriation option, saying that the Burmese would "never love
Thailand more than their country".
Saksith Sawaiwan, a third-year Political Science student, said the idea
had no future because the Thai government did not believe in
interfering in the domestic affairs of neighbouring countries. While the
idea has yet to be set down in concrete, Burmese students face the
option of signing up for the Maneeloi safe camp or living a risky
existence as illegals in Bangkok or the border areas.
Set up in November 1992 by the then Interior Minister Chavalit
Yongchaiyudh, Maneeloi was designed to keep Burmese students out
of political activities that might affect Thai-Burmese relations. Three
years earlier, Gen Chavalit, then army chief was fiercely criticised for
the forced repatriation of a group of refugee students.
Students at Maneeloi receive an allowance of 800 baht a month from
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. They can learn
skills like sewing and English. But they are barred from pursuing higher
education.
If this situation changes, the Burmese students' 10-year stay in
Thailand will not have been in vain. If it does not, and the students go
back to Burma with a grudge against their Thai hosts, Thailand in
future may have more problems with its neighbour than it does now.
Classifieds
Jobs
Property
Entertainment
Investment
Education
Travel
Sales
Learn English
Weekly
Database
Horizons
NiteOwl
Student
Weekly
Real Time
Special
We Care
Street Art
Back Issues
Last Month
Archive
Company
Servcies
Subscriptions
Advertising
Annual Report
© Copyright The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 1998
Last Modified: Sat, Aug 8, 1998
For comments and letters to the editor see : notes
Comments to: Webmaster
Advertising enquiries to Internet Marketing