Thai Military Killed Rohingya: Media Report

7 March 2013

Thai security forces opened fire on Rohingya boat people after the desperate Muslim refugees tried to flee off the coast of Phuket town, local newspaper Phuketwan reports. Between two and 15 refugees were killed, said the paper, which spoke to three survivors and local Thai villagers. The alleged incident took place on Feb. 22 when the Thai military tried to transfer 20 Rohingya from a boat with about 110 refugees, who were said to have come from Burma, to a smaller vessel. Some of the Rohingya tried to escape by jumping into the water. In a reaction the military opened fire on them. Phuketwan said it saw two fresh graves where casualties were buried.