Myanmar Spring Chronicle – September 23: A Scene
(MoeMaKa) September 24, 2024
After an increase in Myanmar nationals entering Thailand, some Thai citizens protested in front of the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok.
In Bangkok, when protests occur in front of the Myanmar Embassy, it’s usually Myanmar citizens protesting against the Myanmar government. From the 1990s through the 2010s, protests in front of the Myanmar Embassy often focused on issues related to Myanmar citizens in Thailand, democracy in Myanmar, military oppression, arrests, and opposition to civil wars. These protests were mainly organized by Myanmar citizens or Thai student groups and activists who were sympathetic to Myanmar’s situation.
However, on September 23, a unique protest took place in front of the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok, where a group of Thai citizens expressed concerns about the increasing number of Myanmar migrant workers and nationals entering Thailand. This protest was aimed at notifying the Myanmar government of the issue while also pressuring the Thai government to implement stricter laws regarding the entry of undocumented Myanmar nationals and migrant workers.
This type of protest, led by Thai citizens against the influx of Myanmar nationals, is considered rare and is the first such event since the military coup in Myanmar. Following the coup, Myanmar has seen widespread civil war and a decline in employment opportunities. In addition, many Myanmar nationals have entered Thailand through various means in response to mandatory military conscription laws, which were revived earlier this year. The timing of this influx has coincided with an economic downturn in Thailand, which has sparked these protests.
Previously, when Thailand’s economy was strong, Myanmar migrant workers were seen as an asset, filling labor shortages with affordable labor. But now, amid Thailand’s economic decline, some Myanmar nationals are engaging in online sales or other jobs that are sometimes restricted, which has led to backlash.
The identity of the group organizing this protest is still unclear, though some reports suggest it may have been led by Thai nationalist political factions.
In Myanmar, civil wars, a scarcity of job opportunities, and forced military conscription have driven many young and middle-aged people to seek employment abroad, with Thailand being the most accessible neighboring country. It is estimated that there are around two million legal Myanmar workers and another two to three million undocumented Myanmar nationals living and working in Thailand, including students and political dissidents who are staying under various legal statuses.
So far, there hasn’t been significant anti-Myanmar sentiment among the general Thai population. Thai businesses view Myanmar nationals as a crucial part of their workforce, and regular Thai citizens generally do not have strong negative views toward them. There is a cultural closeness between the two nations, which has helped ease tensions.
This recent protest, rather than reflecting the views of ordinary Thai citizens, may have been instigated by some Thai politicians looking for a scapegoat for Thailand’s economic downturn. While many members of the Move Forward Party (MFP), which won a large number of seats in the Thai Parliament but did not get to form a government, sympathize with Myanmar’s democracy movement, the Thai military government is more concerned with preserving its own interests and maintaining its power.
Within the Myanmar community in Thailand, there is growing awareness of these changing attitudes, and many are urging each other to be cautious. They are encouraging Myanmar nationals not to engage in illegal work and to avoid flaunting their financial successes on social media to avoid drawing attention.
This protest and calls for stricter control over undocumented migrants have led to increased pressure on Thai police and immigration authorities to crack down on undocumented Myanmar nationals. As a result, there have been more arrests and detentions.
It is now more important than ever for Myanmar nationals in Thailand to unite and cooperate, whether to find better job opportunities or to support those fleeing military conscription. Helping each other to find legal pathways and fostering solidarity within the Myanmar community in Thailand is critical during this time.