On 10 February 2024, the State Administration Council (SAC), after the coup d’etat on 1 February 2021, announced the enforcement of the military conscription law, which drafts men ages 18-35 and women ages 18-27 for at least two years. Many Myanmar youth reported forced conscription to fight in a war against pro-democracy oppositional groups and ethnic army organizations. People of all ages have fled into Thailand or sought refuge abroad. Seeking refuge in Thailand has not been easy for the Myanmar people to pursue basic rights to life, education, work, let alone accessing temporary visas. (See 24 April Panel: http://seajunction.org/event/panel-discussion-myanmar-youth-defy-mandatory-conscription/ )

This panel discussed obligations of Thailand, in particular recommendations to the Thai Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Labour, Social Development & Human Security, and Education in ensuring humanitarian responsibilities for refugees fleeing for safety. Speakers provided an update to Thailand’s security response, current challenges in border regions, hospitals, detention deportation centers, as well as the armed conflict situations in Myanmar. The panel members proposed policy recommendations submitted to the parliamentary committee and to the Thai authorities, urging them to adhere to the principle of non-refoulement and to find temporary settlement for refugees residing in Thailand.

The panel discussion was organized by the Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol Migration Center- Joint Research Unit, the Migrant Working Group, the Institute for Human Rights and Peace Studies, and SEA Junction.