The total number of refugees in Thailand at June 2004 was 141,823. These people were housed in 10 refugee camps in four provinces (Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi) along the Thai-Burma border.
Thailand is not a signatory to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Consequently, it is not obliged shelter or accept people whom are fleeing from persecution. The Royal Thai Government, allows people from neighbouring countries to temporarily shelter from conflict. However, once the conflict has subsided, the refugees are forced to return to their homelands.
People who are fleeing Burma because of human rights abuses, such as forced labour, conscription of child soldiers, rape, extortion, destruction of crops, and forced relocation, are often denied entry into Thailand, because they are not fleeing fighting.
Additionally, some ethnic groups from Burma are denied access to refugee camps, for example Shan, Akha, Lahu, Wa, Kachin, Mon, and Burman. Regardless of whether these people are seeking protection from conflict, they are regularly denied the temporary shelter of the camps.
Source:
Burmese Border Consortium, January to June 2004, Mid-year Report.
"Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Thai policy towards Burmese Refugees and Migrants", Human Rights Watch, February 2004
