Streamlining Thailand’s policy toward Myanmar refugees

BANGKOK – Thailand’s record in sheltering a multitude of refugees has generally been commendable throughout the years. Yet, at times, there are paradoxes, exemplified by the pushback against Cambodian refugees recently, the current threat to send back a Vietnamese Montagnard refugee and the ominous possibility of the forced return of Uyghur refugees.

Can Thailand continue to be appreciated as a country of asylum rather than be depreciated as a country of transnational repression, colluding with others to push back refugees?

This puzzle is also pertinent to refugees from Myanmar. At this juncture, it is worth noting that the term “refugee” is understood…