Over one million Burmese have left their native Burma (Myanmar) for a new life in Thailand. Having fled Burma to escape slave labor, forced military conscription, forced relocation, armed conflict, and few economic opportunities, they work the jobs that the Thai's consider too demeaning and dangerous. Many of the Burmese enter the country illegally through a variety of means from river crossings to paying "agents" to smuggle them in.
Once in Thailand they live a life on the...
more »Over one million Burmese have left their native Burma (Myanmar) for a new life in Thailand. Having fled Burma to escape slave labor, forced military conscription, forced relocation, armed conflict, and few economic opportunities, they work the jobs that the Thai's consider too demeaning and dangerous. Many of the Burmese enter the country illegally through a variety of means from river crossings to paying "agents" to smuggle them in.
Once in Thailand they live a life on the far outskirts of Thai society, subject to exploitation, discrimination, and harassment. Many of the unregistered Burmese have no access to the public health system, education, or protection under Thai law. If they dare to report workplace violations they are subject to arrest and deportation, physical harassment, and in some cases murder. They often work for pay under minimum wage with long hours and no overtime. Migrants that come in with the help of an "agent" may work for months or years with no pay at all, as their wage goes directly to the "agent" as payment for their services.
For some, deportation back to Burma is an outright death sentence. Yet they continue to risk their life to start anew in Thailand by the thousands. Life may be bad in Thailand but to the Burmese, it's still a far better option then their homeland.
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