The UNHCR condemns Thailand for lack of humanitarian spirit in not allowing a center to be set up to receive the Rohingyas. It fails to mention that there are still nine holding centers along the Thai-Burmese border looking after nearly one hundred thousand people. These temporary centers have been there for over ten years. The people in these centers, mostly Karens, fled into Thailand to escape fighting between Burmese troops and tribal rebel forces. The danger was real with shells even on occasion dropping in the camp vicinity. (The Thai Army providing security for these camps would give warning to those responsible for the shooting by firing airbursts of smoke shells to mark the border line).
In the present case of the Rohingya boat people, the only danger is from the boats and the sea. They all boarded those boats voluntarily with the aim of seeking a better place to live in. A large percentage of the so-called Rohingyas in these boats are actually from Bangladesh, not Myanmar. In summary, they are all economic migrants seeking a better life with the idea of illegally entering the country which is their destination. They are thus treated as illegal aliens.
The UNHCR is not known in this part of the world for truth and true dedication to their work. If Thailand allows herself to submit to UNHCR demands, the centers would be in practice permanent and after a time be left for Thailand to hold the problem by herself. UNHCR personnel and those who get to work with them are well paid and become rich with every new project. The exodus from Arakan and Bangladesh seems well organized, compared to Cubans and north Africans, where thenUNHCR has shown no interest.