Published : 01-03-2019
Over 50 Palestinian families who fled war-torn Syria to Thailand continue to face extremely dire conditions due to the crackdowns perpetrated by the Thai authorities and the absence of serious humanitarian action by the national and international human rights bodies.
Speaking with AGPS, a Palestinian refugee—Samer—said he escaped to Thailand in 2012 following the deadly onslaughts launched by the government forces on Yarmouk Camp for Palestinian refugees, south of Damascus. Upon his arrival, the Tahi authorities told him that he cannot stay in the country for over a couple of months, following which he should seek asylum in another destination. Jobless Samer could not afford the expenses to travel to another country. He was arrested in Bangkok for overstaying his visa.
“I made every possible effort to reach the Cambodian borders so as to have my visa renewed, but to no avail”, Samer told AGPS.
Samer added that he had reached out to UNHCR staff members but none of them paid heed to his appeals. “Every time I contact them, they just tell me that there is nothing they can do to help me for the Thai government classifies Palestinian and Syrian migrants as lawbreakers rather than legitimate asylum seekers.”
“I am now left on my own, wandering in the streets and hiding myself in mosques and churches lest I be detained by Thai cops, fined to 700$, and forced to afford the travel fees back to Syria,” said Samer.
Palestinian refugees from Syria have been threatened with refoulement by the Thai authorities. Dozens have been locked up in local detention centers, pending their deportation. Several refugees locked themselves up indoors for fear of being rounded up and sent to jail.
Over 50 Palestinian families who fled war-torn Syria to Thailand continue to face extremely dire conditions due to the crackdowns perpetrated by the Thai authorities and the absence of serious humanitarian action by the national and international human rights bodies.
Speaking with AGPS, a Palestinian refugee—Samer—said he escaped to Thailand in 2012 following the deadly onslaughts launched by the government forces on Yarmouk Camp for Palestinian refugees, south of Damascus. Upon his arrival, the Tahi authorities told him that he cannot stay in the country for over a couple of months, following which he should seek asylum in another destination. Jobless Samer could not afford the expenses to travel to another country. He was arrested in Bangkok for overstaying his visa.
“I made every possible effort to reach the Cambodian borders so as to have my visa renewed, but to no avail”, Samer told AGPS.
Samer added that he had reached out to UNHCR staff members but none of them paid heed to his appeals. “Every time I contact them, they just tell me that there is nothing they can do to help me for the Thai government classifies Palestinian and Syrian migrants as lawbreakers rather than legitimate asylum seekers.”
“I am now left on my own, wandering in the streets and hiding myself in mosques and churches lest I be detained by Thai cops, fined to 700$, and forced to afford the travel fees back to Syria,” said Samer.
Palestinian refugees from Syria have been threatened with refoulement by the Thai authorities. Dozens have been locked up in local detention centers, pending their deportation. Several refugees locked themselves up indoors for fear of being rounded up and sent to jail.
