Myanmar Migrants Pay for Passports They Fear They Can’t Use
The Tak Border Checkpoint, the main border crossing on the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot | Photo: Wissarut Weerasopon/HaRDstories
In an article for Mekong Independent, HaRDstories and Delta News Agency discuss new passports issued to Myanmar citizens in Thailand that bar them from leaving the country.
Chiang Mai, Thailand — Su Mon spent a month’s wages – 16,000 baht, or about 480 USD – on what she hoped would be her ticket to a better future: her first passport at age 33.
After more than 12 years working as a domestic helper in Thailand, the Myanmar migrant dreamt of pursuing education or employment opportunities abroad. But when her passport arrived last month, it carried an unexpected restriction stamped in English: “Passport For Thailand Only.”
“After spending so much money, to be told I can’t go anywhere – it’s completely unjust,” she said.
Since September, Myanmar’s military government has been stamping new passports issued to citizens in Thailand with a restriction limiting their validity to the kingdom alone. The policy appears to be designed to prevent political dissidents from reaching third countries, though advocacy groups say it is primarily harming economic migrants who vastly outnumber activists.
