There are millions of Burmese living in Thailand. Many are political refugees fleeing Myanmar, home to one of the most corrupt, repressive regimes on the planet, a kleptocracy in every sense of the word. Others are economic refugees trying to make a better life for themselves in Thailand, which has a much stronger economy than Myanmar (Burma).
Many live in the refugee camps that dot the Thai-Burma border but most live in the shadows in Thailand as undocumented immigrants. Working without papers, hoping everyday to avoid discovery and deportation back to Burma.
These photos were made in the Burmese migrant community in Mae Sot, Thailand across the Moei River from Myawaddy, Myanmar.
For more on the situation in Burma visit these web sites:
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• The Amnesty International Myanmar page.
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• Irrawaddy Magazine - a pro democracy magazine covering Burma and Southeast Asia.
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• The New Era Journal - a pro democracy newspaper for Burmese emigres. (Much of this site is in Burmese but they have English pages.)
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• The Bamboo School helps Burmese refugee children in Kanchanaburi province.
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• The Thai Burma Border Coalition - a clearing house for information on refugees.
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• The Mae Tao Clinic is an amazing hospital that helps Burmese refugees and migrants.
These photos, and others, are available from ZUMA.
