Myanmar nationals return from Thailand voluntarily

A group of 73 Myanmar nationals in Thailand returned voluntarily to Myanmar and were received at Kyauk Lone Gyi reception centre in Myawady Town, Kayin State, at 2 p.m. yesterday.

Of the 73 Myanmar nationals, 24 men and 28 women are from Kayin State, four men and four women are from the Yangon Region, four men and four women are from the Sagaing Region, and two men and three women are from the Bago Region.

The returnees and Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand U Myo Myint Than Oo were welcomed by Kayin State Minister for Bamar Ethnic Affairs U Tayza Htut Hlaing Htwe and other officials at the friendship bridge No (1) in Myawady. The returnees were later given words of encouragement by Kayin State Chief Minister Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint and state ministers at the reception centre.

The Kayin State Chief Minister expressed her gratitude to the Thai authorities, who helped transport the returnees back home. She then told the returnees that the current situation in Myanmar was different from when they had left for Thailand. She requested the returnees to stand together with the people during this transitional period and promised them that the government would support them in all matters related to their livelihoods. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement provided every returnee with Ks100,000 each; Ks300,000 for families with three members and above and a box of supplies. The Myanmar Red Cross Society supported each returnee with Ks100,000, while the Ministry of Border Affairs has provided Ks15,000 to each returnee. So far, 34 returnees have been transported back to their homes. Present at the reception centre yesterday were the Kayin State chief minister, the Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand, Deputy Director-General U Than Htut Swe of the Department of Disaster Management under the MSWRR, State Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Saw Myint Oo, State Minister for Electricity and Industry U Soe Hlaing, the minister for Barmar Ethnic Affairs, Minister for Pa-O Ethnic Affairs U Khun Myo Tint, State Hluttaw MPs and other officials.

This is the second time such Myanmar nationals who voluntarily returned to Myanmar yesterday have been accepted. The first such occasion took place on 26 October 2016, when 65 returnees were accepted.

Maung Sein Lwin, Htein Lin Aung (District IPRD)

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar