Migrants Hungry, Depressed in Indonesia's Aceh, Official Says

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11 May 2015, 11:11

Rohingya refugees wash at the Training Center House, Krueng Raya, Aceh, Indonesia, 10 April 2013. The predominantly Muslim Rohingya are an ethnic minority group from Rakhine State in western Myanmar are the frequent target of violence. The Indonesian coast guard on Sunday rescued 150 migrants who arrived on boats in the northern province of Aceh. Photo: EPA/HOTLI SIMANJUNTAK<br /> — Rohingya refugees wash at the Training Center House, Krueng Raya, Aceh, Indonesia, 10 April 2013. The predominantly Muslim Rohingya are an ethnic minority group from Rakhine State in western Myanmar are the frequent target of violence. The Indonesian coast guard on Sunday rescued 150 migrants who arrived on boats in the northern province of Aceh. Photo: EPA/HOTLI SIMANJUNTAK

JAKARTA (DPA) — Nearly 550 migrants rescued off Indonesia's Aceh province over the weekend were "hungry and depressed," an Indonesian official said Monday.

The refugees, believed to be persecuted ethnic Rohingyas from Myanmar and Bangladeshis, were sheltered in a sports hall in North Aceh after their boat was found drifting at sea on Sunday.

A Rohingya migrant is treated in a North Aceh local hospital after being rescued, in Matang Raya Village, North Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia, 11 May 2015.

"There is not enough food, even though the local social office and people are already helping," said Tegas, an immigration official in North Aceh.

"They are tired, depressed and need to eat and drink because they were at sea for quite some time," he said.

He said authorities had yet to obtain information on details of their journey.

Many Rohingya Muslims, a stateless minority in predominately Buddhist Myanmar, often travel to Malaysia and Indonesia via Thailand by boats and cars that are run by smugglers, who hold them in captivity until ransom is paid by their family back home.

They have suffered decades of state-sanctioned discrimination and ethnic violence.

The refugees, believed to be persecuted ethnic Rohingyas from Myanmar and Bangladeshis, were sheltered in a sports hall in North Aceh after their boat was found drifting at sea on Sunday.

"There is not enough food, even though the local social office and people are already helping," said Tegas, an immigration official in North Aceh.

"They are tired, depressed and need to eat and drink because they were at sea for quite some time," he said.

He said authorities had yet to obtain information on details of their journey.

Many Rohingya Muslims, a stateless minority in predominately Buddhist Myanmar, often travel to Malaysia and Indonesia via Thailand by boats and cars that are run by smugglers, who hold them in captivity until ransom is paid by their family back home.

They have suffered decades of state-sanctioned discrimination and ethnic violence.

(Reporting by Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata)

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Buddhist Authority to Investigate Anti-Islam ‘Facebook Monk’

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10 May 2015, 17:47

Screenshot from the now-deactivated Facebook page where a user claiming to be a monk has published content deemed offensive to the religion of Islam.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s Office of National Buddhism (ONAB) is investigating a social media user claiming to be a monk who has published offensive remarks about the religion of Islam on the web.

Somchai Surachatri, an ONAB spokesperson, said the agency will attempt to identify whoever is behind the Facebook persona named “Luang Pee Manit Sumano.” The Facebook user says he is a monk belonging to the Dhammakaya sect, which Dhamakaya’s public relations department disputed in a public statement on 11 March.

In one controversial Facebook post, the user published a photo of a Muslim woman giving alms to Buddhist monks, and wrote in the caption: “This woman will never go to heaven if she still worships Allah. When I received alms from this woman, she told me when she followed Islam, she was not allowed to eat pork, she had to wake up very early to scream a morning prayer, and she was raped by many clerics. After she knew about Dhamakaya, her life got better. She is no longer raped by clerics everyday. You see, if you only change, your life can get better.”

The profile appears to be deactived at the time of writing.

Somchai, the ONAB spokesperson, said if the user is proven to be a monk, he will be formally reprimanded by Buddhist authorities for his “inappropriate action.” Somchai also told reporters he has asked the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to block access to the Facebook page.

“Religion is a sensitive issue,” Somchai said, “Each religion has the same objective of building peace in lives, but ways and methods of religious teachings may be different. Buddhism never violates or insults other religions. It only promotes co-existence among all religions. Extremist actions of certain people should not be published and spread on social network, where many readers can see, because it will cause bad feeling for people who have seen those actions.”

A vast majority of Thailand – estimated to be as high as 96 percent by Thai authorities – is Buddhist. Islam is the largest minority religion in the country.

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Thai King Leaves Hospital for Summer Palace

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10 May 2015, 17:01

Well-wishers line the street as King Bhumibol leaves Siriaj Hospital in Bangkok, 10 May 2015.<br /> — Well-wishers line the street as King Bhumibol leaves Siriaj Hospital in Bangkok, 10 May 2015.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s 87-year-old king returned to his summer palace today after spending seven months in a hospital in Bangkok.

Hundreds of well-wishers lined the roads as King Bhumibol left Siriaj Hospital, accompanied by Queen Sirikit, who waved to the crowds. She had not been seen in public since last September.

Well-wishers line the street as King Bhumibol leaves Siriaj Hospital in Bangkok, 10 May 2015.

The royal motorcade took King Bhumibol and 82-year-old Queen Sirikit to Klaikangwon Palace, their seaside retreat in Prachuap Kiri Khan province.

King Bhumibol was admitted to the Siriraj Hospital in October 2014 with a high fever. He later underwent a surgery to remove his gallbladder.

His Majesty has made three public appearances since he was admitted to the hospital, including a recent Coronation Day ceremony at the Grand Palace on 5 May.

The king's frail health is a cause of anxiety for many Thais. The monarch is widely credited with bringing stability to the Kingdom during his more than 60 years on the throne.

Anong Wongwan, 49, said she and her three relatives slept in their car last night outside a gas station near Klaikangwon Palace to secure front row seat to watch the royal motorcade.

Meanwhile, 60-year-old Kamolrat Wiriyaphap sold small 5 baht royal flags for well-wishers to wave. She said she does not charge poor or elderly people for the flags.

"I want Their Majesties to see many people waving the flags, so they will know that many people love them," Kamolrat said.

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Thai King Leaves Hospital for Summer Palace

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10 May 2015, 17:01

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen left Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok for Klaikangwon summer palace, 10 May 2015.<br /> — His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen left Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok for Klaikangwon summer palace, 10 May 2015.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s 87-year-old king returned to his summer palace today after spending seven months in a hospital in Bangkok.

Hundreds of well-wishers lined the roads as King Bhumibol left Siriaj Hospital, accompanied by Queen Sirikit, who waved to the crowds. She had not been seen in public since last September.

The royal motorcade took King Bhumibol and 82-year-old Queen Sirikit to Klaikangwon Palace, their seaside retreat in Prachuap Kiri Khan province.

King Bhumibol was admitted to the Siriraj Hospital in October 2014 with a high fever. He later underwent a surgery to remove his gallbladder.

His Majesty has made three public appearances since he was admitted to the hospital, including a recent Coronation Day ceremony at the Grand Palace on 5 May.

The king's frail health is a cause of anxiety for many Thais. The monarch is widely credited with bringing stability to the Kingdom during his more than 60 years on the throne.

One well-wisher, 49-year-old Anong Wongwan, said she and her three relatives slept in their car last night outside a gas station near Klaikangwon Palace to secure front row seat to watch the royal motorcade.

Meanwhile, 60-year-old Kamolrat Wiriyaphap sold small 5 baht royal flags for well-wishers to wave. She said she does not charge poor or elderly people for the flags.

"I want Their Majesties to see many people waving the flags, so they will know that many people love them," Kamolrat said.

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Police: Four Traffickers Posing as Rohingya Refugees Arrested

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10 May 2015, 14:15

Rescued refugees at a temporary shelter in Songkhla province, 9 May 2015<br /> — Rescued refugees at a temporary shelter in Songkhla province, 9 May 2015

SONGKHLA — Police in southern Thailand say they have arrested four suspected human traffickers who attempted to pose as Rohingya refugees.

The four men, who police encountered in a wooded area in Songkhla province, initially told security officers via an interpreter that they were abandoned Rohingya refugees, police said. However, other rescued refugees at a temporary shelter in the province identified the four men as traffickers who were responsible for their plight, police officers said.

The four suspects are reportedly being detained at Rattaphum Police Station for further interrogation.

Police have rescued approximately 240 refugees in Songkhla province over the past week in a sweep of the region. Officers said many of the migrants appear to be Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority from Myanmar, but that the identification process is ongoing.

Yesterday, 152 refugees, including eight women, were rescued after wandering in the jungle for ten days, police said. Some of the refugees reportedly had beating marks on their bodies.

Thai security officers have also discovered several abandoned jungle camps over the past week in Songkhla's Padang Besar district, with the first and largest camp uncovered on 1 May. The sites are believed to have been used by human traffickers to hold Rohingya refugees for ransom. Mass graves and at least 30 corpses were also found near the camp sites, which are located deep in the jungle near the Thai – Malaysian border.

A total of 49 arrest warrants have been issued in connection to the suspected human trafficking network, said Pol.Gen. Aek Angsananont, deputy commander of Royal Thai Police. Pol.Gen. Aek said 10 suspects have been arrested so far.

Around 150 security officers also raided five houses in Songhkla province to search for evidence connected to the human smuggling network. Pol.Maj.Gen. Montri Potranant, commander of Ninth Region Police, said police confiscated firearms and financial documents, which are being analyzed by officials from the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO).

On the same day, the ambassador of Bangladesh, where around 300,000 Rohingya refugees live, visited officials in Songkhla and urged them to step up the fight against human trafficking. The ambassador, Saida Muna Tasneem, said Bangladesh is willing to cooperate with Thailand to solve the issue, officials told reporters.

The Rohingya are considered by the United Nations to be one of the world's "most persecuted" minorities.

Since 2012, tens of thousands of Rohingyas have fled ethnic and religious violence in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where they are denied citizenship. Many refugees headed for Muslim-friendly Malaysia have been exploited by traffickers and held in Thai detention camps for ransom, or sold as slaves. For years, Thai authorities have largely turned a blind eye to the practice.

Last June, the United States government downgraded Thailand to the lowest rank in its annual Trafficking In Persons (TIP) report for failing to meet the minimum standards to combat trafficking.

Thailand's military government, which came to power a month before the downgrade, says that eradicating human trafficking is national priority.

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Police: Four Traffickers Posing as Rohingya Refugees Arrested

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10 May 2015, 14:15

One of the rescued refugees at a temporary shelter in Songkhla province, 9 May 2015.<br /> — One of the rescued refugees at a temporary shelter in Songkhla province, 9 May 2015.

SONGKHLA — Police in southern Thailand say they have arrested four suspected human traffickers who attempted to pose as Rohingya refugees.

The four men, who police encountered in a wooded area in Songkhla province, initially told security officers via an interpreter that they were abandoned Rohingya refugees, police said. However, other rescued refugees at a temporary shelter in the province identified the four men as traffickers who were responsible for their plight.

The four suspects are reportedly being detained at Rattaphum Police Station for further interrogation.

Police have rescued approximately 240 refugees in Songkhla province over the past week in a sweep of the region. Officers said many of the migrants appear to be Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority from Myanmar, but that the identification process is ongoing.

Yesterday, 152 refugees, including eight women, were rescued after wandering in the jungle for ten days, police said. Some of the refugees reportedly had beating marks on their bodies.

Thai security officers have also discovered several abandoned jungle camps over the past week in Songkhla's Padang Besar district, with the first and largest camp uncovered on 1 May. The sites are believed to have been used by human traffickers to hold Rohingya refugees for ransom. Mass graves and at least 30 corpses were also found near the camp sites, which are located deep in the jungle near the Thai – Malaysian border.

A total of 49 arrest warrants have been issued in connection to the suspected human trafficking network, said Pol.Gen. Aek Angsananont, deputy commander of Royal Thai Police. Pol.Gen. Aek said 10 suspects have been arrested so far.

Around 150 security officers also raided five houses in Songhkla province to search for evidence connected to the human smuggling operation. Pol.Maj.Gen. Montri Potranant, commander of Ninth Region Police, said police confiscated firearms and financial documents, which are being analyzed by officials from the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO).

On the same day, the ambassador of Bangladesh, where around 300,000 Rohingya refugees live, visited officials in Songkhla and urged them to step up the fight against human trafficking. The ambassador, Saida Muna Tasneem, said Bangladesh is willing to cooperate with Thailand to solve the issue, officials told reporters.

The Rohingya are considered by the United Nations to be one of the world's "most persecuted" minorities.

Since 2012, tens of thousands of Rohingyas have fled ethnic and religious violence in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where they are denied citizenship. Many refugees headed for Muslim-friendly Malaysia have been exploited by traffickers and held in Thai detention camps for ransom, or sold as slaves. For years, Thai authorities have largely turned a blind eye to the practice.

Last June, the United States government downgraded Thailand to the lowest rank in its annual Trafficking In Persons (TIP) report for failing to meet the minimum standards to combat trafficking.

Thailand's military government, which came to power a month before the downgrade, says that eradicating human trafficking is national priority.

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Interim Parliament to Submit Opinions on New Charter

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10 May 2015, 14:15

Bowornsak Uwanno, chairman of the CDC, briefs the NLA about the constitution drafting, 5 March 2015<br /> — Bowornsak Uwanno, chairman of the CDC, briefs the NLA about the constitution drafting, 5 March 2015.

BANGKOK — The junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will convene for a two-day meeting to reach a consensus on the new charter before presenting a collective opinion to the drafting committee on 25 May.

NLA deputy chairman Surachai Liangboonlertchai said the assembly will meet on 15-16 May to discuss various aspects of the charter, including the requirements for Prime Ministers, MPs, and Senators, the power of independent watchdog agencies, and the dissolution of the National Human Rights Commission.

They will also discuss whether or not to put the charter up for a referendum vote, he said.

"As for the means to reach the consensus, we may use voting or other methods. We will have to discuss this in the meeting," Surachai told reporters yesterday. "When the NLA reaches a consensus, we will submit our opinions to the Constitution Drafting Committee on 25 May."

The junta-appointed CDC was tasked with writing a new charter for Thailand shortly after the May 2014 coup. The junta, which toppled a democratically-elected government, also installed the NLA to function as an interim parliament.

Critics say the current charter draft – Thailand's 20th – is less democratic than previous constitutions in recent decades. According to the current draft, Prime Ministers are not required to be elected MPs, the Senate will not be directly elected by the public, and unelected watchdog agencies such as a ‘Moral Assembly’ will have power to scrutinize policies passed by parliament.

When asked whether he would be disappointed if junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha disagreed with the NLA’s opinions, Surachai replied, "We won't be disappointed. The Prime Minister has to look at the big picture in solving problems for the country, especially in matters of peace and order. We have to respect the Prime Minister as the decision-maker."

Surachai also told reporters that the Cabinet and junta will have the final say on whether there will be referendum.

"In my reading, there is a lot of interest in referendum in society," Surachai said. "But in details, the society has not given clear answer on whether the referendum would cover the entire charter or just specific sections, and what they would want if the charter fails the vote."

Meanwhile, former Pheu Thai MP Samart Kaewmeechai said Pheu Thai leaders will submit their own opinions to the CDC about the new charter. Samart said the Pheu Thai Party will voice its disagreement over many clauses.

"[The charter] will cause the government after the election to lack stability," Samart said yesterday. "Prime Ministers will lack leadership. Independent agencies will spend more time finding faults than inspecting the government. In the end, the country will reach a dead end. It will affect the economy. Investors will not have confidence. Ultimately, there will be extra-legal method to dissolve the constitution again, and a new constitution will have to be drafted. It will be an endless cycle."

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Interim Parliament to Submit Opinions on New Charter

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10 May 2015, 14:15

Bowornsak Uwanno, chairman of the CDC, briefs the NLA about the constitution drafting, 5 March 2015