On 20 June 2014, Ms. Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), visited Ban Mai Nai Soi temporary shelter for displaced persons from Myanmar in Mae Hong Son Province to mark the World Refugee Day. The Special Envoy arrived at the shelter in the afternoon to visit the displaced persons, film a short documentary for UNHCR to raise public awareness about refugees and meet with the Refugee Committee.

During the discussion with the Refugee Committee, the Special Envoy expressed her appreciation to the Royal Thai Government for the hospitality extended to the displaced persons for more than 30 years. She is also pleased to learn that Thailand continues to uphold the country’s human rights and humanitarian commitment and is supporting livelihood improvement and skill trainings for the displaced persons, including agricultural training. 

In his Opening Remarks at the event to celebrate the World Refugee Day at Ban Mai Nai Soi temporary shelter, Mr. Suraphol Panasamphol, Governor of Mae Hong Son Province, pointed out that Thailand has hosted over 100,000 displaced persons from Myanmar for almost 3 decades on humanitarian basis. Thailand has cooperated closely with the UNHCR, other relevant international organizations, donor countries and NGOs in assisting these groups of people. The Governor underlined that similar to all Thais, the displaced persons are living in Thailand under the boundless and gracious kindness of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.  Apart from enhancing the livelihoods of these displaced persons, the Governor stressed that skill training activities should be further promoted to help ensure their sustainable future. To find viable solution for them, cooperation from all stakeholders is needed on burden-sharing basis.

The World Refugee Day is an important opportunity to raise public awareness about the plight of refugees around the world.  The current number of refugees, internally displaced persons and asylum-seekers is over 51 million people, the highest record since the end of World War II. The UNHCR Special Envoy took this opportunity to call on the international community to end and prevent conflicts which are the root causes of mass displacement.  She also called on the international community to continue their support to the displaced persons in Thailand, while assisting Myanmar in preparation for their safe and sustainable return in the future.