Thai government gives priority to national interest on Rohingya-related solutions

BANGKOK, May 18 (TNA) - The Thai government has stressed on prioritising public and national interests when seeking solutions to Rohingya-related problems. Deputy Government Spokesman Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd quoted Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha as insisting on his interim government's stance on Monday. The deputy spokesman said the prime minister would like the public to know that he understands all Thai people's worries over the Rohingya-related issues, confirming that his government would make any decision on the issues based on public and national interests and would not implement any policy which would jeopardise public welfare and national security. The deputy spokesman acknowledged the Thai premier suggested, however, that humanitarian assistance and cooperation with neighbouring countries be maintained within an appropriate framework, and that a turndown on the humanitarian assistance probably affect Thailand's status as a member of the the world community for the sake of mutual contacts and assistance. The deputy spokesman reiterated that the Thai government has no policy on setting up any special shelter for Rohingya migrants in Thailand, but only providing them with a temporary accommodation at a confined area pending their prosecution under the justice system. According to the deputy spokesman, the Thai government believes a rational solution is solving the irrigular migration-related problems at their origins with support from international organisations for upgrading the migrants' welfare and quality of life. The Thai prime minister's remarks were in response to public concerns aired on the social media that the Rohingya-related problems could become a national burden in the long run and would probably affect national security. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan led his entourage, including Navy Chief Admiral Kraisorn Chansuvanich and National Police Chief Police General Somyot Pumpanmuang, to visit Phuket Province in the Thai South to follow up progress on solutions to alleged human trafficking and Rohingya-related problems, after hundreds of Rohingya migrants were found aboard a vessel floating on Thai territorial waters off the southern Thai Andaman coast last week. The deputy premier, who oversees national security, noted that 65 arrest warrants have been issued against suspects, 28 of whom have surrendered to authorities, and that he has instructed all parties concerned to assist Rohingya migrants based on international principles. (TNA)