Myanmar migrants in Thailand urged to maintain "quiet campaign" of self-restraint amid rising tensions

Mizzima

Labor rights organizations and Myanmar community leaders in Thailand have launched a nationwide awareness campaign calling for permanent self-restraint among migrant workers following a surge in local conflicts.

“Our citizens must remember that Thailand is not our own country. We are here to work due to circumstances and seeking temporary refuge because of difficulties. Therefore, we must behave appropriately not just here, but as we should anywhere living peacefully and avoiding conflicts or disturbances. This shouldn’t be for just 14 days. This conduct must be permanent. Myanmar citizens in Thailand should live quietly, focus on their work, and avoid places where potential problems could arise,” said Ko Ye Min from the Aid Alliance Committee (AAC), an organization assisting Myanmar nationals in Thailand.

Since early January, at least five conflicts have occurred between Thai people and Myanmar nationals. Activists have warned that these rapidly rising tensions could lead to worrisome political provocations.

Consequently, to reduce conflicts and demonstrate that Myanmar citizens in Thailand are peaceful workers seeking refuge rather than troublemakers, migrant workers and the Myanmar community are encouraging one another to avoid going out unnecessarily.

Ko Ye Min added that focusing on daily work and avoiding unnecessary travel is neither a protest against Thailand nor a boycott of Thai employers. It is not a political movement, but rather, it is a self-reminder for Myanmar citizens as guests to conduct themselves appropriately.

“Regarding recent issues, Myanmar citizens are guests earning a living in someone else’s

country. We cannot retaliate. To avoid being bullied or targeted, we should stay off the streets and avoid conflict zones. We should go to work, school, or the market, and then return straight home. This is an awareness campaign to encourage self-restraint. The main goal is to show that Myanmar citizens in Thailand want to live peacefully and are not troublemakers, nor do they support such behaviour. We want to demonstrate that we are people who just want to work and live in peace,” Ko Ye Min said.

The practice of avoiding unnecessary outings and maintaining cautious behaviour is being observed in areas with high concentrations of Myanmar migrants, such as Mae Sot, Bangkok, Mahachai, Ayutthaya, and Ranong.

Social media users have shared that previously crowded places, including markets and night markets in these areas, have seen a significant decrease in foot traffic recently.

“There are so few people now, almost no one. Very few are eating at shops. Sales only happen a bit in the evening and early morning, otherwise, it’s very quiet,” said a Myanmar migrant worker in Mahachai.

Furthermore, Ko Phoe Thin Gyan from the Overseas Irrawaddy Association (OIA) has urged people to avoid behaviour, speech, or content on social media that could escalate problems, in order to prevent the spread of hate speech.