The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related countries’ meeting in Vientiane, Laos, which just concluded this week, had Myanmar as one of the important topics.
Thailand announced in this summit that it will host an informal ASEAN ministerial-level consultation on Myanmar in mid-December to try to find a path to peace, although it is unclear who will attend from Myanmar.
Meanwhile, Thet Swe Win, a Burmese political refugee who fled Myanmar’s military crackdown, is based in Mae Sot Town, Tak Province. He wrote to Khaosod English expressing concerns about how the situations regarding the perceptions among some Thais are changing.
Here is his unedited letter to us:
Dear Thai Friends,
I write to you as a refugee from Myanmar, one of the many displaced by the brutal military junta that has seized control of our homeland. We have fled to Thailand seeking refuge, safety, and the chance to rebuild our lives. For the opportunity to stay here and the supportive attitudes of many Thai people, we are deeply grateful.
However, I have recently watched with concern the growing protests and instigations by some unfriendly nationalist groups here in Thailand who seem angry about the presence of Myanmar migrants. I am beseeching Thai neighbours to see us not as threats, but as neighbors in need, but neighbors who can and want to contribute to the Thai economy and society. Also as neighbors who need your compassion and understanding.
Myanmar has suffered deeply from the devastating effects of extreme nationalism, with the military weaponizing this sentiment to persecute minorities. Decades ago, the anti-Rohingya movements began in our country, cynically used by dark forces as a tool for division. This culminated in the 2017 atrocities that saw over 700,000 Rohingya driven out of Myanmar into Bangladesh, with many more internally displaced, villages burned, and more than 30,000 lives lost.
This systematic targeting and exclusion of Rohingya among other minorities have sown deep divisions in our society, and we are now seeing this tactic used again by the military to suppress the broader population. Since the military coup in 2021, almost 50,000 people have been arrested and detained, more than 5,700 were killed and many of them abused or tortured. Entire towns and villages have been destroyed by airstrikes, artillery and ground attacks. The military has even used natural disasters, like the recent floods and cyclones, as opportunities to attack civilian areas and internally displaced people’s camps.
Many of us who have sought refuge in Thailand are professionals—teachers, doctors, engineers, and small business owners and students who have joined the Civil Disobedient Movement against militaryrule. But without proper documentation, we are unable to secure suitable jobs that match our skills. Many of us face unlawfully issued warrants by the Myanmar military, and if arrested in Thailand and deported, will face serious risk of torture or execution by the Myanmar military. Young people deported from Thailand have been forcibly conscripted into the Myanmar military (SAC) upon their return, according to various reports highlighting the regime’s crackdown on returnees.
Burmese in border areas live in fear of increasingly frequent raids by Thai police, who are searching homes and businesses for undocumented Burmese. This constant fear of arrest and deportation adds to the immense stress and trauma they already bear. Those who are involved in Myanmar’s restoration of democracy, and there are many living along the border in villages or in towns like Mae Sot, suffer other forms of trauma. Our struggle for democracy has come at a great cost, and living in hiding has taken a toll on our mental health.
Tragically, the mental health situation of refugees in Mae Sot is marked by high levels of anxiety, and stress due to displacement, uncertaintyand past experiences of violence and persecution. Despite these hardships, we do not want to be seen as a burden. So many are eager to contribute to Thailand’s economy and society, to offer our skills and labor to benefit both societies. All we ask is a chance to work openly and legally, to live without fear, and to rebuild our lives in safety.
Those who have sought refuge in Thailand range from young people to adults alike, having escaped the oppression of the military dictatorship. For some, arriving in Thailand has been their first experience of personal freedom. While this newfound sense of freedom may have led to a few misunderstandings with the local community, we want to emphasize that none of us ever intended to disrespect or disregard Thai culture or customs.
We aim not only to be good guests but also to contribute to the well-being and prosperity of this beautiful country as much as we can. For example, there are currently more than 40 university professors and lecturers among the Burmese community in Mae Sot, highly qualified and willing to teach Thai students, while offering Burmese youth the opportunity to study alongside them. Some Burmese musicians have even volunteered to teach music at Thai schools, demonstrating how our two communities can exchange knowledge and skills to benefit both nations. There are also numerous teachers and dozens of qualified medical practitioners including doctors and dentists who would be willing to help in any capacity.
I encourage my fellow Burmese to embrace the opportunity to learn about and appreciate Thai traditions, and to adapt to local customs with respect and openness. By doing so, we can build stronger connections with the Thai community, enriching our experience and contributing to a harmonious coexistence.I kindly ask the Thai people to continue demonstrating the remarkable patience and kindness that their country is so well known for. Your generosity and understanding have already made a profound difference, and by extending this warmth to those seeking refuge, you help foster an environment of compassion and unity.
This letter is a heartfelt call for solidarity, friendship, and cooperation. We share the same dreams of peace, freedom, and dignity. With your support, we believe we can achieve a brighter future, not just for Myanmar, but for Thailand and the region as a whole.
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Editor’s note: The writer added that he didn’t feel safe to have his photo published.
