Saphan Plah, a community of considerable size
is located in an outer suburb of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
About 2000 migrant workers from Burma inhabited the place. Majority
of the migrant workers are ethnic Karen from Burma. There are
ethnic Mon, Pa-O and Burmese also, who have left their native
land to scrounge for a living in the neighbouring land, Thailand,
as they could not find employment in their native land, Burma,
running amok with despots in uniform since March 2, 1962.
Four decades of authoritarian rule initiated
by the late despot Ne Win, has reduced the country to one of the
pauper states in the world from that of the richest in Southeast
Asia.
Note. Ne Win (aged 91) has suddenly left for
‘hell’ since December 5, 2002, without even given a
last resting place on this earth. He died ignominiously and unheralded.
The old despot was deprived of even a tombstone to mark his one
time notorious existence, by his protégés, the likes
of Than Shwe, Maung Aye and Khin Nyunt, who are currently inheriting
his legacy and making the most out of the dynasty Ne Win has first
established since March 2, 1962.
Than Shwe and company should take this as a
cue and ponder over their ominous and imminent fate. Ne Win’s
demise has given hints of what lies in store for them, no tombstone
or burial place on Burma’s soil when they join Ne Win, at
present burning in ‘hell’.
Since Ne Win’s takeover of power by armed
might on March 2, 1962, Burma has been turned into a militarist
state, where freedom and human rights are non-existent. Rampant
corruption and bigotry on the part of the members of the armed
forces and the police also, took the toll on the people and country.
Job opportunities for even the graduates of higher learning institutes
are not available, except in cases, where one wishes to join the
armed forces or the police. Ordinary working people could not
work their fields or gain employment.
Moreover, the people
in the provinces and in the rural areas, especially, the ethnic
minority people are commandeered as porters to carry ammunition
and supplies for the ruling junta’s armed forces on their
assaults on armed ethnic groups demanding autonomy since the country’s
independence on January 4, 1948. On most occasions, the porters
are used as human shields in skirmishes and forced to walk the
minefields in front of the soldiers. Women porters are obliged
to double their role; provide sex at nights for the commanders
and the soldiers.
Thus, the Rangoon regime
has forced most of the ethnic people, and the Burmese also, to
migrate to neighbouring countries, for all purposes. Some take
up the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma and the likes
of ethnic KNU [Karen National Union] for their own autonomy. A
large majority chooses to seek employment in neighbouring countries
for their survival and support their families they left behind
in Burma.
The journey to Thailand is not at all smooth
and rosy for them. They have to depend on ‘carriers’
as these people are widely known. They are a breed, mostly the
Karen and the Mon obsessed with greed, and bent on exploiting
the hapless and helpless who have ventured into the unknown and
uncertainty and have very limited resources or chances to realise
their dreams. Especially, the females fared worse as per rule.
On many occasions they run into the Thai armed
patrols [Border Patrol Police] and taken into custody, if they
are lucky. Many are shot dead. And the females are gang raped
and killed mostly to hide evidence and men folk are also killed
to prevent them from bearing witness to the crimes. They can count
themselves fortunate, in case they are killed and buried for having
a resting place and a grave, at least. There are many sightings
of corpses lying in the fields unidentified and unclaimed.
The community at Saphan Plah are quite happy
as they are living in relative peace and prosperity, under the
aegis of the Thai government, compared to their brethren back
in Burma under the military boot. Some have opened small enterprises
like video and cassette rentals while a number operate grocery
stores and cafés, depending on their capital and income.
Nearly all the people at Saphan Plah work in
the fishery businesses owned by Thai nationals. Their daily wages
are Baht 120 for men and Baht 100 for women and working hours
are from 9:00 PM to 10:00 AM when the work is heavy. In cases
when there are less hauls of fish the usual working hours are
from 3:00 AM to 10:00 AM. An accommodation about 8ft by 10 ft
cost them Baht 1000 a month. Thai nationals are given more wages.
Nevertheless, they are quite happy and contented
with what they earned despite the existing discrimination in wages.
They are also, thankful to the Thai authorities for recognising
their presence and status by giving them ‘work permits’
with a validity date of one year, renewable every year and obtainable
by giving Baht 3500 each to the Thai authorities.
