Myanmar Refugees Face Systemic Abuse in Thailand, Extortion and Legal Neglect Due to Lack of Protection
- Human Rights Research Center
- Jul 19
- 3 min read
Author: Aamnah Fatima Khan
July 19, 2025
HRRC strongly condemns the Thai authorities' exploitation and abuse of vulnerable Myanmar refugees seeking safety. Such actions violate international human rights norms and perpetuate suffering for those fleeing violence and persecution.
![Myanmar migrant workers along the Myanmar-Thai border collect cassava [Image credit: Jittrapon Kaicome/The Irrawaddy]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_f713a50f8a3b47b79e26c979029cccc5~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_654,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_f713a50f8a3b47b79e26c979029cccc5~mv2.png)
More than 4 million Myanmar nationals, including Rohingya and ethnic minorities, have fled to Thailand since the country's military takeover in 2021 to escape persecution, war crimes, genocide and a crumbling economy. Nearly half are still undocumented and stateless, and face frequent threats of deportation, harassment and exploitation.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has documented systematic abuse by Thai police, especially in border towns like Mae Sot, where Myanmar refugees are often extorted, arrested and threatened with deportation unless they pay bribes. Many are compelled to pay monthly "protection fees" or purchase unofficial "police cards" through brokers, which do not assure deportation or detention.
According to a recent HRW study, Thai officials call Myanmar nationals "walking ATMs". People who cannot afford protection remain in rural regions under self-imposed house arrest without access to basic utilities like water or electricity. Despite paying bribes or fees, pregnant women and children are also subject to deportation.
Since Thailand has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, it does not acknowledge the status of refugees. Even recognised individuals are at risk of being arrested for immigration-related offences, and the government's 2023 National Screening Mechanism mainly excludes Myanmar nationals. The majority of Myanmar citizens depend on the "pink card" migrant worker system, which necessitates employer sponsorship and is frequently acquired through expensive brokers and false employer information.
HRW and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees have recently called upon Thailand to establish a temporary protection framework for Myanmar refugees and to pass clear asylum rules that comply with international norms. They stress that because of the continuous dangers of violence and persecution, there should be no forced repatriation to Myanmar.
Glossary
Abuse – Cruel or violent treatment of someone
ATM – A machine that gives out money; here used to mean people are seen only as sources of money
Bribes – Money or gifts given to someone to influence their actions
Broker – A broker is a person or entity that arranges transactions between a buyer and a seller.
Compelled – Forced to do something
Detention – Being kept in a place, usually by police, and not allowed to leave
Deportation – Being sent back to one’s home country by authorities
Extortion – Forcing someone to give money through threats
Fleeing – Running away from danger or trouble
Framework – A system or set of rules used to guide actions
Genocide – An act committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group
Immigration – The process of coming to live in a new country
Migrant – A person who moves from one place to another to find work or better living conditions
Norms – Accepted ways of doing things in a society or system
Perpetuate – To make something continue, especially something bad
Persecution – Cruel and unfair treatment, usually due to race, religion, or beliefs
Refugee – A person who leaves their country to escape war or danger
Repatriation – The act of sending someone back to their home country
Rural regions – Countryside or areas far from cities
Self-imposed – Something someone chooses to do to themselves, not forced by others
Stateless – a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law
Vulnerable – Weak and easily hurt or harmed
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