Cooking Up Kindness: The Eateries Who Offer Free Meals to Migrant Workers

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26 December 2020, 16:00

Top: Chatthamon Singtankong and her husband Sakorn Kumpapan of Krua Muang Petch restaurant.

SAMUT PRAKAN — Chatthamon Singtankong was taking a stroll at a market in her neighborhood when she overheard a food vendor refusing to sell to a migrant worker.

She was angry. But instead of venting out her frustration on social media, Chatthamon decided to give away free meals to foreign laborers left jobless amid the new outbreak of coronavirus, in which 1,300 migrant workers were infected in the past week. Many, many more workers fell victims to an epidemic of paranoia and hostility from their Thai peers.

“It’s not them to blame for the virus,” Chatthamon, the owner and chef of Krua Muang Petch restaurant said. “It already happened. We can’t undo it, but we have to help solve it.”

She continued, “We should be supportive of each other since we’re in this together. We should hold hands and get through this together.”

Migrant workers are welcomed to order anything from the menu and have some takeaways for their families as well, Chatthamon said.

Her humble eatery sits in an industrial area of Pracha Uthit-Wat Khu Sang Road in Samut Prakan, just southwest of Bangkok. She usually sells common dishes such as pad krapao to fellow Thais, but sometimes to migrant workers living in nearby camps as well.

But when the new wave of outbreak struck, Chatthamon said she saw fewer migrant workers coming into her shop. Even after she announced to hand out free meals on her Facebook Wednesday night, none of the workers has come to take the offer so far.

She believed it was a result of public backlash against migrant workers, who were quickly blamed by government officials as the culprit of the coronavirus infection cluster at a shrimp market in Samut Sakhon province.

“I think they see this as a trap,” Chatthamon said. “They’re afraid that officials may set this up to arrest them. People are now wary of each other. Thais became afraid of migrant workers, while migrant workers also became afraid of Thais. People are growing paranoid.”

Another restaurant down the road was inspired by Chatthamon’s initiative. Saowanee Sae-tier, the owner of the Go Hub Gold restaurant on Soi Pracha Uthit 90, said she was disturbed by stories of Thai people shunning the migrant workers or treating them with prejudice.

“I feel sorry for the migrant workers as to what they’re facing,” Saowanee said.

Her restaurant, which sells braised beef noodles, made the announcement Thursday on its Facebook, both in Thai and Burmese, telling migrant workers who were rejected from other establishments to receive free meals starting Saturday.

Thailand is home to millions of workers from neighboring countries, most of them Myanmar. While state-sanctioned education and popular media routinely portray Myanmar as a historical enemy of Thailand, racially charged violence on the workers is very rare.

But the latest coronavirus outbreak in Samut Sakhon threatens to upend the culture of tolerance. Many incendiary comments on social media say people from Myanmar cannot be trusted; others call for infected migrant workers to remain untreated.

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha said this week illegal immigration was behind the outbreak, while health minister Anutin Charnvirakul also said he suspected the migrant workers were the source of the infection in Samut Sakhon – although the government’s task force and local officials appealed for sympathy for immigrants.

Chatthamon, the owner of Krua Muang Petch, said some Thais stopped coming to her shop after she opened her doors to migrant workers.

“I lost some customers, but most of them understand what I’m doing,” she said. “My regulars keep coming in. They know how to protect themselves.”

While her charity is taking a burden on her already small profits, Chatthamon said she is not taking any donations since she wanted the operation to be completely out of her own pockets.

Although she has not had a chance to serve them yet, Chatthamon said she was impressed by the amount of support she received, especially from Myanmar nationals who wanted to lend a hand for their compatriots.

“It took my breath away seeing Myanmar people helping each other,” the restaurant owner said. “Those who’re better off refused to take the offer and paid for their food so that the proceeds could be forwarded to others who are in need. Some Myanmar people in Bangkok also rang me offering to donate money and ingredients.”

Eoz02YeUwAA2mQq 2 — *Health workers question migrant workers in Lampang province on Dec. 25, 2020.*

One of the workers at Chatthamon’s restaurant said they were worried about the rising suspicion from Thai people, but he believes he has taken all the necessary precautions against the virus.

“I’m afraid,” he said. “I’ve been in Thailand for 10 years already. Myself is also afraid of COVID-19. I always put my mask on.”

Saowanee, the owner of Go Hub Gold, said she also employed five workers from Myanmar. Saowanee said she believes they posed no health risk to her, since she believes she has taken enough care of their wellbeing.

“I asked them not to leave the restaurant if not necessary,” she said. “I take care of them as if they are my family members and they all have the necessary documents.”

Owner of Go Hub Gold restaurant Saowanee Sae-tier, second from right, and her employees.

From Migrant Workers To Officials, Gov’t Fires Blame for Virus Left and Right

Watchdog Alarmed to See Healthy & Infected Workers Locked in Together

Princess Ubolratana, Dressed as Santa, Wishes Thais a Happy Holiday

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Khaosod English

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26 December 2020, 15:33

BANGKOK — Princess Ubolratana dressed up as a female Santa Claus – or “Santy” as Thais call it – to wish the people of Thailand a Merry Christmas.

In a video released on Christmas Eve, Princess Ubolratana sang “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and went on to explain the meaning behind the holiday.

“We wish you a glittery, sparkly, and joyful Christmas,” she said English.

“Christmas wouldn’t be complete without Santa or Santy,” she said, using a Thai term for a female Santa Claus costume. Princess Ubolratana also discussed the birth of Jesus Christ, the religious background of the holiday, and the meaning behind the Christmas tree.

In Thailand, awareness of Christmas traditions is sketchy – the occasion is celebrated everywhere, but few are familiar with Christianity.

Number of Royal Defamation Suspects Rises to 37

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Khaosod English

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26 December 2020, 14:30

S__20561928 — Protest in front of Bang Khen Police Station on Dec. 21, 2020.

BANGKOK — At least 37 people have been charged with insulting the monarchy in just one month alone, an attorney at the Thai Lawyer for Human Rights said Thursday.

Most of the suspects are key members of the pro-democracy movement like Arnon Nampa and Parit ‘Penguin’ Chiwarak, who have been slapped with multiple counts of the draconian law – eight for Arnon eight, while Parit faces as many as 12.

“The lese majeste law has been intensely used as a tool to suppress the political movement,” lawyer Poonsuk Poonsukcharoen said by phone Thursday. “If the protest continues next year, more will likely be charged.”

Read: Activists Urge UN To Help Repeal Royal Defamation Laws

The youngest person to be charged with royal defamation, or lese majeste, this month is a 16-year-old boy who stands accused of mocking His Majesty the King.

Article 112 of the Criminal Codes bans any remark deemed as insulting or threatening toward the King, Queen, Regent and Heir Apparent. Violators face up to 15 years in jail if found guilty.

The activists remain defiant in face of the harsh legal consequences. Two banners denouncing lese majeste were unveiled on Thursday; one was hung at Democracy Monument, another at a traffic sign close to Hua Lamphong Railway Station. They were soon taken down by the police.

Arnon told the crowd during a rally on Monday in front of Bang Khen Police Station that it’s “inevitable” that those criticizing the monarchy would be accused of lese majeste, and urged his supporters to keep up the fight.

Reforming the monarchy is among the core demands put forth by the pro-democracy rallies, which have been taking place since July.

No Refunds For Year-End Trips Under Travel Subsidy Program

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Khaosod English

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26 December 2020, 10:00

Visitors take photos of the sunrise in Suphanburi province on Dec. 12, 2020.

BANGKOK — No refunds will be available for travellers who booked their New Year vacations under the popular travel subsidy program “We Travel Together,” the tourism minister said Thursday.

Pipat Ratchakitprakan said travelers who already paid for their trips under the scheme can postpone their trips due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak for up to one year, but hotels are not required to issue refunds to guests.

“I discussed with the Thai Hotel Association and they agreed that guests may reschedule their trips for up to 12 months,” Pipat said. “However, there will be no refunds for people who already paid for their bookings.”

Changes to reservations can be made directly with the hotel, or through online travel agent websites in case the booking was made with them, he said.

The minister said he is also looking for ways to launch the second phase of the travel stimulus scheme, which was put on hold after a number of hotel operators was caught filing for bogus reimbursement from the government.

“We’re investigating whether all the stays are genine,” Pipat said. “I will discuss with relevant authorities to extend the program further.”

Over 300 hotels are under investigation for overstating the cost of accommodation and making up ghost bills, officials said. More than 3.5 million people registered for the first phase of the program and the quota of five million nights was already used up since it was launched in July.

The 22-billion baht scheme allowed registered Thai travelers to reimburse 40 percent of hotel costs, capped at 3,000 per night, as well as bills of restaurants and shops of 600 baht per day. Costs for air tickets can be also deducted by 40 percent, up to 3,000 baht per round trip.

However, not all hope is lost for tourists who insist on wanting their money back.

Thai Hotel Association chairwoman Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi said he has asked fellow hoteliers against withholding the money, especially at times when domestic tourists are in need more than ever.

“Most hotel chains issue refunds to their guests, but smaller operators may choose to issue a voucher for guests or offer them alternative solutions,” Marisa said. “I warn them against not giving guests any reimbursements since we have to win Thai tourists’ satisfaction.”

She added, “They’re our only hope.”

Hundreds of Japanese Still Contesting Trump’s Election Defeat

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Kyodo News

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26 December 2020, 09:01

S__10346733 — Adherents of the QAnon conspiracy theory pose for a photo holding a flag combining the letter "Q" and the Japanese flag in Tokyo on Dec. 15, 2020. (Kyodo)

TOKYO (Kyodo) — Less than a month before the swearing-in ceremony in Washington for U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, hundreds of Japanese, including adherents of the QAnon conspiracy theory, are taking to the streets in support of President Donald Trump’s claim that he won election.

“Stop biased reporting” and “Admit (the U.S. presidential election) was rigged” were among slogans shouted in unison by more than 200 Trump supporters during a rally held at Hibiya Park in central Tokyo in late November.

Continue reading the story here.

Pope on COVID-19 Vaccine: Needy, Vulnerable Must Come First

By

Associated Press

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26 December 2020, 09:00

received_4840033412734977 — Pope Francis, center, delivers the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for 'to the city and to the world' ) Christmas' day blessing inside the blessing hall of St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. (Vatican Media via AP)

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis made a Christmas Day plea for authorities to make COVID-19 vaccines available to all, insisting that the first in line should be the most vulnerable and needy, regardless of who holds the patents for the shots.

“Vaccines for everybody, especially for the most vulnerable and needy,” who should be first in line, Francis said in off-the-cuff remarks from his prepared text, calling the development of such vaccines “light of hope” for the world.

“We can’t let closed nationalisms impede us from living as the true human family that we are,” the pope said.

He called on the leaders of nations, businesses and international organizations to “promote cooperation and not competition, and to search for a solution for all.”

Amid a surge of coronavirus infections this fall in Italy, Francis broke with tradition for Christmas. Instead of delivering his “Urbi et Orbi” speech — Latin for “to the city and to the world” — outdoors from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, he read it from inside a cavernous hall at the Apostolic Palace, flanked by two Christmas trees with blinking lights.

Normally, tens of thousands of people would have crowded into St. Peter’s Square to receive the pope’s Christmas blessing and listen to his speech. But Italian measures to try to rein in holiday infections allow people to leave their homes on Christmas for only urgent reasons like work, health, visits to nearby loved ones or exercise close to home.

The pandemic’s repercussions on life dominated Francis’ reflections on the past year.

“At this moment in history, marked by the ecological crisis and grave economic and social imbalances only worsened by the coronavirus pandemic, it is all the more important for us to acknowledge one another as brothers and sisters,” Francis said.

Fraternity and compassion applies to people “even though they do not belong to my family, my ethnic group or my religion,” he said.

Francis prayed that the birth of Jesus would inspire people to be “generous, supportive and helpful″ to those in need, including those struggling with ”the economic effects of the pandemic and women who have suffered domestic violence during these months of lockdown.”

Noting that the “American continent” was particularly hard-hit by COVID-19, he said that the pandemic compounded suffering, “often aggravated by the consequences of corruption and drug trafficking.” In particular he cited the suffering of the Venezuelan people.

On a day when Christians recall Jesus as a baby, Francis drew attention to the “too many children in all the world, especially in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, who still pay the high price of war.”

Among others he said sorely needed comfort at Christmas time were the Iraqi people, and “in particular the Yazidi, hard hit by the last years of war.” And, he said, “I cannot forgot the Rohingya people,” adding that he hoped that Jesus, “born poor among the poor, will bring hope in their suffering.”

Samut Prakan Red Cross Chapter Assists 18 Migrant Workers

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Khaosod English

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26 December 2020, 01:20

On 23 December 2020, Ms. Nongrat Khongkasaem, President of Samut Prakan Red Cross Chapter, along with committee members, representatives of Thai Red Cross Health Station No.5, Sawangkaniwas, the chief of Bang Phli District Office, the director of Bang Phli Hospital, and representatives of relevant organizations gave necessities kits to 18 Myanmar workers from Samut Sakhon Province who had been left by their employer on the roadsideof Bang Na – Trat Highway in Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province, in the wake of COVID – 19 outbreak in Samut Sakhon Province.

The 18 migrant workers are being quarantined in a state quarantine venue in Bang Phla Sub-district, Bang Phli. The Thai Red Cross Society, a national charitable organization, provides assistance to the vulnerable in accordance with humanitarian principles regardless of nationalities, races or gender.

CP Foods Promises Maximum Safety Measures for Migrant Workers

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Khaosod English

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25 December 2020, 06:00

Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CP Foods) ensures it will keep all of its workers, including migrant workers, safe from the COVID-19 outbreak with the highest safety measures.

The company also reassures that its migrant workers are being treated indiscriminately in line with the international human rights standards.

Ms. Pimonrat Reephattanavijitkul, Executive Vice-President at CP Foods, said the company has been maintaining the highest health and safety measures at all of its operations from upstream to downstream since the outbreak started in the early 2020.

She added that worker’s health and wellbeing is CP Foods’ top priority. The company has pledged to keep all of them safe, regardless of their roles or nationalities. As a result of this commitment, CP Foods has put an extra care on the migrant workers that are more vulnerable. For example, the company provides them an accommodation with frequent shuttle bus service between dormitory to the company’s operation. The transportation service has been managed with stringent covid-19 prevention measures such as temperature scanning and social distancing practices. Moreover, the company also provides translators to help more understanding on their rights and the operation.

“CP Foods is a workplace of diversity. We are building a mutual understanding among our employees in all nationality equally. Our goal is to ensure that they are secured from this new wave of outbreak,” Ms. Pimonrat said, adding that CP Foods currently provides free food to employees who work in Samut Sakhon, where has been placed under lockdown.

Also, migrant workers are able to voice their concerns and seek consultation” through a “Labour Voices Hotline by LPN”, a consulting hotline service run by Labour Protection Network (LPN). The hotline service is available in Khmer, Burmese, English and Thai.

During the outbreak, LPN arranged training programe through video conference to encourage workers restrict with the company’s Covid-19 prevention measures accordingly as well as having basic understanding on Human Rights.

Currently, there are 9,000 migrant workers in CP Foods’ operations in Thailand. All of them are recruited legally under the government-to-governent MoU. They have received benefits and social welfare that is in line with Thai labour. CP Foods also supports transportation fee from their country of origin to the company’s operation as well as work permit, health checkup, accommodation with shuttle bus service and translators. These supports aims at ensuring that they will live happily and comfortably during their time with CP Foods.

Nestlé Inaugurates New UHT Plant Featuring State-of-the-Art Technology, Committed to Driving Sustainability Across the Value Chain

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Khaosod English

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25 December 2020, 06:00

Mr. Victor Seah (center), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé Indochina, Mrs. Helene Budliger Artieda, (3^rd from right) Ambassador of Switzerland to Thailand, and Mr. Chaiwat Chuenkosum (3^rd from left), Governor of Pathumthani Province, along with other Nestlé management, participated in the inauguration ceremony for the new UHT plant at Navanakorn Industrial Estate in Pathumthani province.

Nestlé today inaugurated a new UHT plant in the Navanakorn Industrial Estate in Pathumthani province. Designed as a state-of-the-art, world-class production facility, the new plant incorporates the latest in high technology and environmentally-friendly production innovations. This enables Nestlé to introduce innovative eco-friendly packaging while creating sustainability across the value chain from upstream to downstream, in line with Nestlé’s global sustainability commitment.

Mr. Victor Seah, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé Indochina, said that the inauguration of the new Nestlé Navanakorn 7 UHT Plant was part of Nestlé Thailand’s sustainability commitment, which is aligned with Nestlé’s global sustainability goals of making 100% of packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025, reducing the use of virgin plastics by one-third by 2025, and achieving zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, for which the company has recently launched a detailed global roadmap.

“As the Good Food, Good Life company, Nestlé believes it’s our responsibility not only to develop high-quality, healthier, and tastier choices of food and beverage products to delight consumers, but to also operate our production facilities responsibly and develop environmentally-friendly packaging innovations. The new plant promotes sustainable development, in line with Nestlé’s purpose of unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come, as good food nourishes and delights the senses and helps everyone live life to the fullest while protecting resources for future generations. This clearly reflects our commitment to driving sustainability across the value chain as well as making an economic contribution to the local community by creating jobs and developing the skills of employees to meet global standards. The new UHT plant, which began operating in May 2020, represents an investment of over 1.53 billion baht,” said Mr. Seah.

Mr. Chaiyong Sakulborirak, Business Executive Officer, Dairy and Adult Nutrition, Nestlé (Thai) Ltd., said, “Our new plant produces UHT beverages under the MILO and BEAR BRAND brands, which are part of Nestlé’s core businesses that are growing continuously, to deliver the best quality products to consumers while driving sustainability across the value chain. The production process at the new plant features environmentally-friendly technology including a new membrane homogenizer system for MILO production that uses less energy and reduces the frequency of maintenance compared to a conventional piston homogenizer; a heat recovery system that returns the surplus heat from steam and hot water created during the production process for reuse, which helps reduce energy consumption; a new refrigerant for chillers that does not deplete the ozone layer; and efficient production waste and wastewater management by type for purposes such as recycling, generating new energy, and making fertilizer, to achieve zero waste to landfill.”

He added that the new plant allows Nestlé to introduce eco-friendly packaging innovations including a bendable paper straw for MILO UHT products and reducing the use of corrugated paper for packaging by changing to Wrap Around Cartons (WA) instead of Regular Slotted Cartons (RSC). Nestlé is also extending its sustainability initiatives to post-consumption packaging management through the “Milk Box to Save the World” project. The project focuses on educating students in pilot schools about proper UHT beverage packaging management after consumption, as well as appropriate collection of used UHT packages for the recycling process.

“With these various initiatives, our new Navanakorn 7 UHT Plant will save 4,420 gigajoules of energy per year. This is equivalent to running an 18,000 BTU air conditioner 24 hours a day for 77 years. Our environmentally-friendly packaging innovations also help save 752 tons of paper per year, which is equal to 150 million sheets of A4 paper, and reduce the use of plastic by 142 tons per year, which is equal to 26 million plastic bags,” added
Mr. Chaiyong.

In addition, Nestlé is focused on developing healthier and tastier choices using a 60/40+ concept. This means achieving at least a 60% consumer taste preference that is superior to most comparable products on the market while adding proper nutrition value and promoting active lifestyles among consumers. With this approach, Nestlé can ensure its products are of high quality, safe, and in line with Nestlé product development standards that aim to promote great health and quality of life.

At the Nestlé Navanakorn 7 UHT Plant, the company also plans to use solar energy in 2021, with solar panels installed on the plant roof and in the car park, along with other initiatives such as using anti-slip glue for pallet stability instead of plastic stretch film wrap for transportation and reducing the amount of virgin plastic used by changing to multipack shrink film with 30% post-consumer recycled plastic content (PCR).

“We are confident the inauguration of our new plant will be a model to promote sustainability across the value chain in Thailand and bring happiness to Thai consumers with our quality UHT beverages,” concluded Mr. Chaiyong.

Nestlé Navanakorn 7 UHT Plant Video (คลิป)

From Migrant Workers To Officials, Gov’t Fires Blame for Virus Left and Right

By

Tappanai Boonbandit, Staff Reporter

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24 December 2020, 15:20

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha speaks to reporters on Dec, 24, 2020.

Top: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha speaks to reporters on Dec, 24, 2020.

BANGKOK — First, it was the migrant workers to blame for the virus resurgence that saw at least 1,000 infected. Then, the crosshairs were trained on their employers, the migrant smuggling rings, local officials branded as incompetent, and even pro-democracy protesters.

But never the central government.

As different government agencies scrambled to explain and contain the outbreak in Samut Sakhon province, which has since spread to at least 20 provinces, none of them has yet to step forward and take responsibility for the mishap that led to the infections in the first place.

“If you want to lay blame on the government, then you have to see whether the public cooperates with us,” PM Prayut Chan-o-cha said during Thursday’s press conference. “I don’t blame Thais or anyone. The government has to take care of 70 million people, so it’s impossible to please everyone.”

S 24010890 2 — Government House staff on Dec. 24, 2020, install a protective glass panel at the podium to be used by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha during a news conference as a measure against potential coronavirus infection.

In less than 24 hours after the first infection was reported in Samut Sakhon last week, health minister Anutin Charnvirakul pointed his finger at the community of foreign workers, most of them from Myanmar.

He said the workers could be responsible for carrying the virus from overseas, which led to the infection of a Thai 67-year-old seafood vendor at a shrimp market in the province.

His claim was later supported by other government officials. Vichan Pawan, director of the health ministry’s Institute for Urban Disease Control and Prevention, said almost all of the patients discovered in Samut Sakhon are migrant workers from Myanmar.

“It’s relatively clear that the source of infection is the shrimp market,” Vichan said during Monday’s press briefings. “Many experts weighed in that it may have originated from migrant workers since 90 percent of the cases are migrant workers from Myanmar.”

He added, “It’s possible that they moved into our country when there was an outbreak in their country.”

1000 1 9 — Health workers record migrant workers ahead of collecting nasal swab samples from them to test for COVID-19 in Samut Sakhon, south of Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/ Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul)

The shrimp market has since been shuttered by the governor until Jan. 3. Apartment buildings next to the market, where many migrant workers reside, were also placed under lockdown where no one was allowed to leave or enter the area – even the workers who tested positive for the virus were forced to live alongside those who haven’t caught the virus.

Samut Sakhon Gov. Veerasak Vijitsaengsri also found himself under Prayut’s wrath during a teleconference held on Tuesday, according to officials who attended the meeting.

“We already know the reason for the outbreak. It’s from the migrant workers,” Prayut reportedly told Veerasak in the video call. “But how have the workers arrived [in Thailand]? Where did the outbreak happen? I’m not criticizing you, but I’m telling you to find out who’s responsible, no matter who they are.”

PM Prayut went on, “All of us will have to take responsibility for this outbreak. I admit there were some mistakes for not taking care of the big picture as much as we should. But the Governor is also at fault for letting the migrant workers sneak into Thailand and cause the outbreak.”

Helping Hands

Most of the border checkpoints along Thailand’s 2,401-kilometers border with Myanmar have been shut down since the onset of the pandemic in March. However, labor rights watchdogs said workers are still being systematically smuggled into the country through unauthorized channels.

“Migrant smuggling networks continue to operate in the pandemic,” Suthasinee Kaewleklai, a coordinator for Samut Sakhon-based Migrant Workers Rights Network, said in an interview. “They’re outmanoeuvring the authorities.”

Myanmar recorded 923 new cases on Wednesday, though the country saw 1,067 new infections reported on daily average, according to data compiled by Reuters. Suthasinee suggested that the situation in Myanmar may have led people to sign up to work illegally in Thailand.

130587789 2929463060676866 3549436949958701088 o 5 — *Army rangers intercept a group of 9 Cambodian nationals as they attempted to trek across the border into Sa Kaeo province without permission on Dec. 24, 2020.*

“Most of them came from remote areas in Myanmar,” the activist said. “They don’t know how to read or write. They have no access to information about how to work in Thailand legally. Therefore, they fell victims to migrant smuggling networks who lure them into paying a large sum of money in exchange for employment in Thailand.”

Defense spokesman Kongcheep Tantravanich said security officials are investigating how migrant workers managed to illegally cross the border despite increased patrols.

He also said that it is impossible for security forces to completely seal off the border, especially in the dry season of December, when many streams and rivulets can be forded without much difficulty.

“Soldiers can keep on patrolling, but we will never be able to man every point along the border simultaneously,” Lt. Gen. Kongcheep said in an interview. “We have been conducting patrols and installing razor wires and surveillance cameras ever since the pandemic began. We’re not being passive.”

PM Prayut himself blamed anti-government protests in Bangkok last month for the lax border control, saying that security officers were mobilized from the upcountry to maintain order in the capital.

“We had to bring in reinforcements to take care of the protest areas in Bangkok, so the officers in the upcountry have to work hard right now,” Prayut said on Npv. 30. “And the officers sent into Bangkok have to endure their works as well.”

S 21676151 4 — *Health workers prepare to conduct a coronavirus test on a Myanmar fisherman in Rayong province on Dec. 23, 2020.*

But Kongcheep said there is enough manpower to secure the border. He also suggested that the focus should be shifted to the organized crime enterprises instead of soldiers in the frontline.

“There’s no way for them to make it to Samut Sakhon without the help of the smugglers,” the defense spokesman said. “We must look into how they managed to pass through checkpoints deeper into the country, and how they managed to get employment permits, and hired for work.”

Transparency gadfly Srisuwan Janya said he suspected the smugglers must have colluded with law enforcement officials for their operation to be successful. He also went to the labor ministry on Wednesday to petition minister Suchat Chomklin to take legal action against employers who hired undocumented foreign workers.

“We can trace back to which channel they went through with the workers,” Srisuwan said. “Those responsible for that particular area at a particular point of time must be accountable for their negligence.”

But Lt. Gen. Kongcheep said the military has yet to find anyone in their ranks who conspired with the smugglers.

“We found no security officers involved with the smuggling ring at the moment, but if there is, we will certainly take action against them,” Kongcheep said.

Scapegoats?

The opposition has seized on the latest outbreak to criticize PM Prayut’s administration for failing to control the virus outbreak. Thailand reported only a few domestic cases for months prior to the spike in coronavirus cases discovered in Samut Sakhon.

“The cause of the renewed outbreak is the national security authorities who let migrant workers being smuggled into the country,” deputy head of Pheu Thai Party Pichai Naripthaphan said Thursday.

“The person who is responsible for them is Gen. Prayut himself, who is also the defense minister. I ask him to take responsibility for his failure.”

However, Suthasinee the labor rights activist pushed back against the notion that foreign workers are guaranteed to be the culprits, since many of them have been working in Thailand long before the pandemic struck.

“We found no undocumented workers so far among the patients,” Suthasinee said. “Most of them worked here for years already.”

Her observation was backed up by immigration spokesman Archayon Kraithong, who said the preliminary case investigation concluded that every patient in Samut Sakhon holds the required paperwork so far.

“We’re conducting investigation, but the first batch of the patients are all documented workers,” Maj. Gen. Archayon said on the phone.

AP20358107012197 — FILE – In this Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, People stand in lines to get COVID-19 tests in Samut Sakhon, South of Bangkok. Thailand, which has kept the coronavirus largely in check for most of the year, is facing a challenge from a large outbreak of the virus among migrant workers in the province close to Bangkok.(AP Photo/Jerry Harmer, File)

It is unclear whether his assertion is a roundabout way to protect the immigration bureau of any blames for failing to control the influx of undocumented workers – Archayon went on to insist that “no migrant workers can cross the border legally right now since all the checkpoints are closed.”

At any rate, Suthasinee said the attention being paid to the unregistered migrants by the media and the government is disproportionate. Her organization counts about 400,000 migrant workers residing in Samut Sakhon province, home to the country’s largest hub for the seafood industry.

Quoting a figure released by the local authorities, Suthasinee said 260,000 of the workers are documented, while 140,000 of them are not.

“Most factories here don’t employ undocumented workers since they may face santions from foreign trading partners,” she said. “I don’t believe the migrant workers should be blamed.”

Helping Hands

Scapegoats?

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