On 24 August 2018, H.E. Mrs. Busaya Mathelin, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and H.E. U Myint Thu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar co-chaired the 2nd Meeting of the Thailand-Myanmar Joint Working Group on the Preparation of the Return of Myanmar Displaced Persons at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar in Nay Pyi Taw. The Meeting was attended by relevant government agencies from both Thailand and Myanmar.

 

The 2nd Meeting of Joint Working Group welcomed the progress on the preparation of the return of Myanmar displaced persons since the 1st Meeting of the Thailand-Myanmar Joint Working Group in March 2018 in Bangkok. These include the return of the second batch of 93 displaced persons in May 2018 which resulted in increased interests by displaced persons to voluntary return to Myanmar. During the meeting, both sides agreed to collaborate closely on the return of the third batch of displaced persons by October 2018, and to establish Technical Working Group on Return comprising of officers from both sides to discuss details relevant to the repatriation procedures in order to facilitate and expedite future repatriation. 

 

Since 1984, the Royal Thai Government has provided shelter and necessary assistance for displaced persons from Myanmar. At present, there are approximately 100,000 displaced persons from Myanmar residing in 9 temporary shelters in the provinces of Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kanchaburi and Ratchaburi.

 

The next Joint Working Group meeting will be held in early 2019.