HUMAN rights campaigners raised concerns today about the welfare of 130,000 long-term displaced people whom Thailand’s military government plans to send back to Myanmar.

Myanmar supreme commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha said last week after visiting Bangkok that both countries would facilitate the refugees’ safe return according to human rights.

Human Rights Watch researcher Sunai Phasuk said that Thailand’s military junta should clarify its plans to ensure that repatriation is not forced.

“We are concerned every time this issue is raised, especially under the current conditions that the country is being ruled by the military,” said Mr Sunai.

“We would like the junta to explain in greater detail to make sure the deportation will abide by international principles and will not leave these people facing danger.”

He called on both countries to consult the refugees and international organisations before finalising repatriation plans.

The affected people are mainly ethnic minorities who have been living in displacement camps in Thailand since fleeing government offensives in eastern Myanmar as long as three decades ago. 

But they are not formally acknowledged as refugees.

United Nations Refugee Agency regional spokeswoman Vivian Tan said that the UN has not been informed about any timeframe set by the Thai government.

“It’s very likely to create more stress and more anxiety among the refugee population,” she said.

“So we are just worried that these refugees are feeling very uncertain at the moment and we don’t want them to feel the pressure to go or to pre-emptively go back before they are ready,” she said.