Thailand refuses access to migrants in abuse probe
Thailand’s prime minister said international agencies looking into alleged abuse of illegal migrants by Thai authorities could speak to officials, but stopped short of saying they could meet migrants themselves.
Abhisit Vejjajiva’s announcement came a day after the United Nations high commissioner for refugees asked for access to the illegal migrants, several of whom the organisation says are in Thai custody.
A Bangkok-based advocacy group claimed last week that Thai security officials had forced as many as 1,000 migrants – mostly stateless Rohingyas from Bangladesh – back out to sea in rickety boats since early December. It accused the Thai navy of forcing several hundred on to a barge in the middle of the ocean, where as many as 300 later drowned.
