Bangladesh is a Southeast Asian country geographically but South Asian culturally. Myanmar and Bangladesh are bordering countries, just like Thailand and Myanmar are neighboring countries. There are close historical and geographical ties among Myanmar, Thailand, and Bangladesh. Trilateral relations amongst these countries has been good. The three states could benefit hugely from Myanmar-Bangladesh ties.
However, the problem between Bangladesh and Myanmar has become an obstacle since approximately 700, 000 Rohingya Muslims have come to Bangladesh to take shelter to save their lives from the atrocities of the Myanmar army in 2017. Bangladesh is trying to repatriate them to Myanmar but Myanmar doesn’t want to take back them.
Four years have passed. Unsuccessful initiatives were taken to return the Rohingya to Myanmar. The Rohingya refugee problem has created a rift between Bangladesh and Myanmar. As a result, the distance between South Asia and Southeast Asia has increased. But if this problem is resolved diplomatically, all Southeast Asian countries would benefit economically, socially, and culturally.
Bangladesh wants Thailand’s cooperation in the Rohingya extradition. Bangladesh also wants to speed up the the process after it was suspended due to the pandemic. As a neighboring and friendly country of Myanmar, Thailand can and should mediate to ensure the greater interest of the region. If the problem is solved, greater regional interest will be ensured.
Thailand would be able to connect by road with the BCIM (Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar) corridor. The BCIM corridor will be connected with the east-west corridor and the north-south corridor of Thailand. This will establish direct communications between Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand. Again, using this medium, Bangladesh will be able to go directly to Malaysia, Laos, and Vietnam. Furthermore, Thailand and Myanmar will be able to enter into South and Central Asia.
Thailand wants to establish trade relations with Bangladesh. Connecting Thailand with the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor or the BCIM Economic Road Corridor will increase trade between the two countries. Friendly relations between Myanmar and Bangladesh are necessary for this to happen.
As the Rohingya crisis has become a regional and international issue, Thailand, as a regional state, can play a significant role in the peaceful repatriation of Rohingya citizens who have been forcibly displaced by Myanmar and taken refuge in Bangladesh. If the Rohingya problem is not resolved soon, it could be an obstacle to peace and progress in the region. The longer the Rohingya crisis cannot be resolved, the more likely it is that the issue could become a breeding ground for fundamentalism, exploited and manipulated by terrorists.
For decades, Myanmar has subjected the Rohingya to extreme cruelty, ignoring the law. The Rohingya problem is not new to Bangladesh. This problem, which started in 1978, became apparent in August 2017. More than 1 million Rohingya fled to Bangladesh to save their lives when the Myanmar army launched a brutal operation against them. Bangladesh is seeking the intervention of the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations, as well as the regional alliance, ASEAN for a lasting and acceptable solution to the Rohingya problem. On the other hand, there are also some Rohingya who live in Thailand. There is no data on the total number of Rohingya in Thailand, but unconfirmed reports suggest there could be between 3,000 and 20,000.
Bangladesh is now facing serious problems due to this artificial crisis created by Myanmar. Some socio-economic threats are rising in Bangladesh, after having given shelter to Rohingya for humanitarian reasons. But because of this humanity, the country is now at risk. As a result, there is a danger of Rohingya spreading all over the country, posing many challenges
The forest is being uprooted and they are cutting down the mountains and destroying them. There are also long-term economic risks, socio-economic and political problems. Security risks may increase also. Illegal narcotics trade, human trafficking, prostitution, terrorism in Rohingya camps are increasing.
Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement to repatriate the Rohingya to Myanmar within two years in 2017 and 2019 respectively. The Myanmar authority did not them back according to the agreement. Bangladesh raised the issue in every international forum and any countries have supported Bangladesh. But Myanmar has not respected international law and norms. Some mighty powers may have been behind the scene.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister has raised the issue at UNGA on September 25, 2021, to draw attention to solving the Rohingya crisis. She has focused especially on the engagement of ASEAN leaders, who can solve the Rohingya refugee problem easily.
As an active member of ASEAN, Thailand can help to resolve it. Thailand can be an honest mediator in this regard. Thailand has very warm relations with both Myanmar and Bangladesh. Various countries and international organizations have taken various measures to solve the Rohingya problem. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has criticized the Myanmar authorities for being lax in repatriating displaced Rohingya. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over the ongoing Rohingya crisis. Yang Lee, the UN special envoy for human rights in Myanmar, said all major countries in the world had a responsibility to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
In this regard, Thailand can and should play a very significant role to solve the crisis such ways:
1) Thailand can support Bangladesh at every international forum such as at UNGA, regional conferences. It can vote in favor of Bangladesh. It can raise the issue in the BIMSTEC and ASEAN platforms.
2) Thailand can negotiate with Myanmar diplomatically and bilaterally as it has good bilateral relations with Myanmar.
3) Thailand can engage with other regional states to resolve the crisis.
4) Thailand’s Buddhist society can play an effective role in this regard. The relations of Buddhists between Myanmar and Thailand are well established. Buddhism is more related to the establishment of peace and non-violence. Thai Buddhists can play a significant role in this regard. They can exercise the path shown by the founder of Buddhism, Gautama Buddha. Buddhists will be recognized as the Avatar of human rights if the Buddhist community plays a role in resolving the Rohingya crisis. It will ensure regional and to some extent, world peace and communal harmony.
5) Thai businessmen can engage to some extent because stability in the region (for both South Asia and Southeast Asia) is very needed for investment.
Why should Thailand play role in resolving this regional problem?
1) This issue is a humanitarian one.
2) It is an issue of justice. According to Martin Luther King Jr,. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The Myanmar authorities committed genocide and the perpetrators should be under international legal jurisdiction.
3) It is a regional issue. The whole of South Asia and South East Asia may be volatile because of it. As a South Asian state, Thailand has some responsibilities.
4) Thailand has very good relations with both Myanmar and Bangladesh.
5) Enhancing bilateral relations could contribute to the growth of trade and investment relations with ASEAN and SAARC countries. This will create an opportunity to serve the greater regional interests.
6) Re-establishing the Himalayan-South Asian connectivity can occur if political and diplomatic solutions of the Bangladesh-Myanmar strained ties can be found.
7) Bangladesh has been supporting Thailand at every international forum. Now it is time and duty for Thailand to stand in favor of Bangladesh in her crisis moment. Thailand-Bangladesh relations have the potential to further strengthen ties for regional and global peace, progress, and prosperity.
8) For greater regional connectivity such as implementation of BCIM, Asian High way project.
9) To create opportunities for Thai investors to access the South Asian markets easily.
10) The Rohingya refugee crisis and the internal crisis in Myanmar can be a regional one and Thailand can be a sufferer. Terrorism, insurgent movements, illegal narcotics trade and human trafficking are some concerning issues.
11) To strengthen trilateral ties amongst Thailand, Myanmar, and Bangladesh for the interest of the people.
Bangladesh has a long history of trade and cultural ties with Thailand. Thailand has been cooperating with Bangladesh since its independence in 1971.
As a well-wisher, friend and partner in the development process and trade, Bangladesh can expect cooperation and support from Thailand regarding the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. Bangladesh deserves it. Therefore, Thailand should help and support Bangladesh and mediate in resolving the crisis as soon as possible.
*The writer is an activist, researcher, analyst and columnist based in Bangladesh.
December 13, 2021
The viewpoints expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions, viewpoints and editorial policies of Aequitas Review.
