Thai military concedes on delay in sending refugees to 3rd countries

TAK, THAILAND, May 18 (TNA) - The Thai military has admitted on a delay in sending refugees to third countries due to the destined nations' immigration procedures. Lieutenant General Sathit Pittarat, Commanding General of the Third Army Area Command, acknowledged the problem on Monday, pointing out that the third nations have imposed the procedures to strictly screen the refugees, especially those from Myanmar. Lieutenant General Sathit told journalists that there are seven temporary shelters for Myanmar refugees fleeing fighting in their motherland in Tak and Mae Hong Son Provinces in the Thai North, the areas under his Third Army Area Command. According to the regional commander, the major problem which has been reported is that the refugees in the areas often sneak out of the temporary shelters to illegally work for wages in nearby communities. (TNA)