Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Thailand to implement a temporary protection system for Myanmar nationals, revealing widespread exploitation and abuse by Thai authorities against Myanmar refugees. Thai authorities are reportedly engaging in intimidation, extortion, and detention of Myanmar nationals seeking safety in Thailand, with many refugees forced to register as migrant workers to obtain legal status despite being denied refugee protection by the Thai government.
Currently, there are over 4 million Myanmar nationals in Thailand, with nearly half lacking proper documentation. Most fled following the military coup, escaping violence, persecution, economic collapse, and aid blockades. The HRW report documents cases of Thai police conducting searches of undocumented Myanmar nationals and threatening arrest if they cannot pay bribes. In the border town of Mae Sot, Myanmar nationals are referred to as ‘walking ATMs’ and live under constant threat of deportation, afraid to move freely due to fear of exploitation by authorities.
Myanmar refugees must purchase illegal ‘police cards’ from Thai officers and pay monthly fees to avoid detention. Those who cannot afford these payments are effectively under house arrest. Thailand is not a signatory to international refugee conventions and lacks formal asylum procedures. As a result, Myanmar nationals are forced to seek registration as migrant workers through brokers who charge excessive fees. HRW urges the Thai government to establish a temporary protection framework for Myanmar nationals and provide protection in line with international standards.
The report highlights the particular vulnerability of undocumented Myanmar nationals, who face regular extortion and threats of deportation despite having purchased unofficial documentation. Even those with ‘pink cards’ for migrant workers remain at risk of deportation, as these documents do not provide full refugee protection. HRW emphasizes the urgent need for Thailand to recognize refugee status and implement asylum procedures that meet international legal standards, ensuring protection for those fleeing persecution and conflict in Myanmar.
