Thais Keep Eye On Refugees

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32346, 11 July 1970, Page 13

Thais Keep Eye On Refugees

(N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright) BANGKOK, July 10.

As the Indo-China war swept westward through Cambodia toward the Thai border, the Thai Government turned a wary eye on Thailand’s Vietnamese refugees suspected of being proCommunist.

There are an estimated 40,000 Vietnamese refugees in north-east Thailand, most of whom live in six provinces along the part of the Mekong River that forms the border between Thailand and Laos.

The older refugees—those who were not born in Thailand—crossed the Mekong 24 ■ years ago to escape French military operations which brought havoc to the North Vietnamese countryside. The Thai Government offered them sanctuary. Some of the refugees were repatriated to North Vietnam nine years ago. Plans to repatriate the remaining 40,000 were revived several months ago when the Red Cross of North Vietnam told the Thai Government it was prepared ’ to accept them. 11 Nothing More Heard ■i But nothing more has been -! heard of that proposal and

some Thai officials believe that North Vietnam may have dropped the matter because of the widening of the war to Cambodia.

Thailand, which would like to rid itself of the touchy refugee problem, is prepared to negotiate repatriation. Ho Chi Minh was among the group of North Vietnamese that sought sanctuary in Thailand. He spent time in the north-east and also in Bangkok. Thai Government leaders believe that many of the refugees have maintained close ties with North Vietnam.

Alarmed, the Government approached the International Red Cross to find a means of repatriation. This effort nine years ago resulted in the return of 30,000 refugees to North Vietnam. Thai Government polls have indicated that an over-

whelming percentage of the refugees would prefer to be returned to North Vietnam. Only a few said that they wanted to go to South Vietnam or remain in Thailand.

But some Thai officials say 1 the refugees may be throwing 1 up a smoke screen. “The Vietnamese refugees have always said they would like to be repatriated,” a Thai official told the “Bangkok World” recently, “but when the time comes they refuse to go and block our efforts in every way." He claimed that the refugees earn money in Thailand and send it to Hanoi to help the North Viet- . namese war effort. The problem is complicated ’ because the young refugees—- , the ones born in Thailand—look like Thais and speak , Thai and it is difficult to dis- ' tinguish them from Thai ' citizens. Thai officials said some of the Vietnamese refugees were servants, gardeners, maids and watchmen for American military officersand diplomats.

Watch Kept

Thailand’s Communist Supression Operations Command (C.5.0.C.) keeps a close watch on the refugees. Some of the refugee groups have

demonstrated against Government policies. Government officials have told such groups that they have no desire to interfere with their culture and traditions but have warned the refugees to observe Thai-

land’s laws and public order.

When the new Government in Cambodia fought back against the invading Communists, the Vietnamese refugees in Cambodia were among the first victims. So far, there is no evidence that it could happen in Thailand, but if the Indo-China war spills over into Thailand, the Vietnamese refugees might be in a precarious position.