Thailand doing all it can for refugees

I deeply regret that the column "Rohingya Refugee crisis shames Southeast Asia" by Pavin Chachavalpongpun in the May 22 edition does very little to contribute to putting the issue in its proper perspective.

Nothing is gained by passing the blame or engaging in naming and shaming at a time when we all, whatever our religion or faith, must work in a concerted manner to stem the continued outflow of such irregular migration as well as address its humanitarian dimensions on an urgent basis. That is why Thailand took the initiative in organizing the Special Meeting on Irregular Migration in the Indian Ocean, which is intended to put in place a process to address this humanitarian challenge in a systematic, comprehensive and sustainable manner.

Based on our humanitarian track record in the past and the fact that we have treated these latest groups of migrants with compassion and have provided them with temporary shelter, it is unfair and unimaginable to claim that they have suffered from religious discrimination in Thailand. We have, furthermore, launched a crackdown on the network of human traffickers who have preyed on these unfortunate people.

The author of the article is also wrong in his assertion that the situation in the south has its roots in religious discrimination. In Thailand, there is full respect for all religions enshrined in our constitution and everyone is free to practice his or her religion or belief. Unfortunately, such assertion only plays into the hands of the extremist elements behind the violence in the south. In fact, both Buddhist and Muslim leaders and communities in the southern provinces have come out to condemn the senseless violence against innocent people being committed by extremist groups whose only goal is to instigate conflict and fear to achieve their ulterior motives.

The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.