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| This file picture taken on June 23, 2010 shows a general view of the Mae La refugee camp, around 90 km from Mae Sot on the Thai-Burmese border. (Photo: Getty Images) |
Thai authorities are scheduled to investigate Burmese refugee camps along the Thailand-Burma border at the end of May to determine the exact population in the camps, according to official sources.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Thursday, the governor of Thailand's Tak Province, Samart Loyfa, said that local authorities and security forces will investigate the Mae La, Nu Po and Umpiem Mai refugee camps on May 23.
“We are investigating the refugee camps because we really want to know the exact population of the camps. Some refugee are living and working outside the camp,” said Samart Loyfa.
He said that Thai authorities are also investigating the camps in order to counteract illegal migration and drug trafficking.
Saw Htun Htun, the chairman of the Mae La refugee camp, said Thai authorities informed him that only the refugees who are present in the camp will be registered and refugees who are not in the camp will be de-registered.
“Authorities from Tak Province are planning to collect information about the population in the refugee camp. They will investigate both registered and unregistered refugees. Thai authorities said that they want to determine the actual population of refugees in the camp,” said Saw Htun Htun, adding that this is the first time Thai authorities will investigate the refugee camps along the border.
He said that Thai authorities originally informed them that the investigation would start on May 11, but after negotiations with the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees, the date was postponed.
“My children are outside the camps but I can contact them. I cannot contact some of my friends who are outside the camp. For the time being I’m worried with them,” said Maung Ko, who has been living in the Mae La camps for five years.
Nang Paw Gay from The Karen Information Center (KIC), which is based on the Thailand-Burma border, said that the Thai authorities are investigating because of pressure from the Burmese government and the investigation concerns discussions between the Burmese and Thai governments.
There are nine refugee camps along the Thailand-Burma border. Mae La is the largest camp, with an estimated population of 52,000 (and 5,000 living outside the camp); Umpiem Mai has an estimated 16,000; Mae La Oon 16,280; Mae Rae Ma Luang 1,9151; Tham Hin 8,682; Ban Don Yang 4,130 and Nu Po 16,991.
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