July 7, 2017, at 1330hrs, at the Government House, Mr. Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha on the occasion of his official visit to Thailand. Lt. Gen. Werachon Sukondhapatipak, Deputy Government Spokesperson, disclosed gist of the meeting as follows:
The Prime Minister thanked UNHCR, on behalf of the Thai Government and people, for its continued cooperation with Thailand since the Indochina War. Thailand stands ready to cooperate with UNHCR to send Myanmar refugees back on a voluntary basis. He also congratulated the appointment of Thai actress Praya Lundberg as UNHCR’s first Goodwill Ambassador in Thailand and Southeast Asia, and UNHCR’s collaborative effort with other Thai prominent figures, i.e., Phra Maha Vuthichai Vachiramethi, in promoting interfaith cooperation and coexistence, as well as Buddhism and humanitarian principles.
Both parties agreed that solving refugee problem requires cooperation from the global community. The Prime Minister reiterated that Thailand has placed priority in addressing and preventing the problem at its roots in the countries of origin. While transit countries should provide assistance based on the humanitarian principle, the countries of destination ought to increase their helps, both in terms of hosting more refugees, and proving supports to origin and transit countries.
The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to thank UNHCR for having been coordinating with Thailand in providing assistance and support to the refugees of Cambodian, Lao, Vietnamese, and Myanmar origins. 71 refugees of Myanmar origin who were sent back in October 2016 have been closely followed up by Thai officials to ensure their well beings.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed that Thailand would provide best possible supports to these people, be it, education and healthcare, basic needs, and temporary shelters, and hope that UNHCR would continue to closely coordinate with the Thai Government, and provide logistics support, as well as assistance to the remaining refugees in Thailand. UNHCR Mr. Filippo Grandi expressed appreciation toward the Thai Government for their cooperation and support, especially to child refugees.