Revealing the Stance of Weera Saengthong, Myanmar Labor Leader and Former Jewelry Salesman, Before Being Assaulted Outside the UN - Thairath English
Weera Saengthong, a Myanmar labor leader and former gemstone sales representative, opens up about his stance before being assaulted outside the UN, affirming that his actions aim for equality in Myanmar and to protect Thailand's interests.Tags: [Myanmar labor leader, protest, UN, equality, Thailand interests]
On 1 Nov, Weera Saengthong, leader of the Myanmar labor group Bright Future, gathered with others to protest outside the United Nations office on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road. They called on Thailand to abolish the Certificate of Identity Center (CI) operated by the Myanmar government in Thailand, which issues CI documents for workers to obtain visas and work permits. The process requires proof of a 2% tax payment and at least 25% money transfer back to Myanmar through government-approved channels. There were also allegations of fees higher than stated and additional costs such as broker fees.Tags: [protest, Certificate of Identity, Myanmar workers, fees, UN]
The protest arose from perceptions of unfairness due to the high costs of obtaining a CI, which created a significant financial burden on Myanmar workers. The protesters demanded that the pink card (a card for non-Thai nationals) be accepted as the sole identification document.Tags: [protest, unfair fees, Myanmar workers, pink card, identification]
During the protest, loudspeakers from the People's Center for Protecting the Monarchy (ศปปส.) and the Prachak-pitak Institute (ปภส.) groups arrived, leading to clashes with Weera. Police intervened to control the situation.Tags: [clash, protest, ศปปส., ปภส., police intervention]
The incident sparked online debate, with many condemning the assault, while others opposed Weera's activism. On 3 Nov, Dr. Anon Sakvorawit, lecturer at the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), posted on Facebook questioning whether Weera's strong criticism of the Myanmar government was scripted by Western powers. He suggested Weera should protest in Myanmar and respect Thai laws if working in Thailand, recommending the Ministry of Interior consider deporting him and banning his return.Tags: [online debate, criticism, Dr. Anon Sakvorawit, deportation suggestion]
The Thairath Online news team spoke with Weera Saengthong, who described that only four people gathered peacefully for the protest that day. They did not promote the event on social media and had obtained proper authorization for the gathering.Tags: [interview, protest, authorization, peaceful gathering]
About 20 minutes into the protest, loudspeaker vehicles from the ศปปส. and ปภส. groups arrived, verbally abusing and ordering them to leave. They packed up signs and moved locations, but the opposing group followed and assaulted Weera alone, as seen in videos. Police then intervened, calmed the situation, and arranged a taxi for Weera to leave.Tags: [assault, protest, police intervention, ศปปส., ปภส.]
The following day, they reported the incident to police and submitted a letter to the National Human Rights Commission, as this was not the first assault; a previous incident over a year ago remains unresolved. They hope authorities will fully enforce the law.Tags: [reporting assault, National Human Rights Commission, law enforcement]
When asked if he anticipated such an incident, Weera said he had foreseen potential disruptions. The week prior, he canceled a planned protest after "Tae Achiwa," leader of the Thai No Tolerance group, announced intentions to disrupt it. They resumed protesting on 3 Nov without public announcements to avoid trouble, but the assault still occurred.Tags: [anticipation, protest cancellation, disruption threats]
The protest mainly opposed the CI center, asserting that it harms not only Myanmar workers but also Thai and foreign businesspeople in Thailand due to unfair costs. Most Thai employers already cover document fees for Myanmar workers, so the additional CI costs are an unfair burden.Tags: [protest issues, CI center, unfair costs, employers]
They believe most Myanmar workers prefer to pay taxes solely to the Thai government through the pink card system and work permits, costing around 5,000 baht. If using legal brokers, additional fees of about 3,000 baht apply, totaling roughly 8,000 baht.Tags: [taxation, pink card, work permits, fees]
However, using the CI system can increase costs to nearly 20,000 baht, involving multiple middlemen who may not be licensed brokers. The condition to remit 25% of income—about 6,000 baht every three months—through government-approved channels applies, but the exchange rate is lower than financial institutions, and funds sometimes fail to reach recipients fully due to embezzlement.Tags: [CI system, high fees, money remittance, embezzlement]
"Myanmar workers are willing and able to pay the Thai government more and consider Thailand's fees very low compared to Min Aung Hlaing's regime. They believe it is fair since they work in Thailand. Therefore, they demand the abolition of the CI system and direct dealings only with the Thai government," Weera said.Tags: [worker willingness, fees comparison, demand abolition]
Weera emphasized that his communication clearly calls for canceling the CI center and adopting the pink card system. Those who assaulted or harbor prejudice against workers may misunderstand or think he opposes Thai law, but he insists he acts to protect both workers' and Thai people's interests.Tags: [clarification, protest goals, misunderstanding, protection]
Regarding hostility toward Myanmar activists in Thailand, Weera asserted they had proper police permission, affirming their right to protest as a fundamental human right to freedom of expression.Tags: [rights, police permission, freedom of expression]
Responding to criticism about forming a Myanmar labor union in Thailand, Weera said that establishing a union without discrimination by profession or ethnicity aligns with ILO Conventions 87 and 98, which Thai labor sectors have long urged the government to ratify. He participated in this advocacy, viewing it as a fundamental labor right.Tags: [labor union, ILO conventions, labor rights]
However, he prefers not to be linked to this issue, emphasizing that his current activism focuses on opposing Min Aung Hlaing and defending Myanmar workers' freedoms in Thailand.Tags: [focus, activism, opposition to Min Aung Hlaing]
Regarding personal background investigations, Weera said there was nothing incriminating, but those seeking trouble would always find faults. He has been reported to the Ministry of Interior and called for discussions, which he addressed without issue.Tags: [personal background, investigations, government reports]
Weera revealed he currently holds a 'no registration status' card, known as card number 0 or the 089 card, issued to ethnic groups. He is eligible to apply for citizenship but has not done so. He is unconcerned about complaints preventing him from obtaining Thai nationality because he already enjoys basic rights.Tags: [identity status, citizenship, rights]
Weera assures Thai people that his activism protects oppressed Myanmar workers' rights and opposes Min Aung Hlaing's dictatorship. This opposition benefits not only Myanmar but also Thailand, as Myanmar's military has indirectly harmed Thailand for nearly 60 years through drug trafficking, scams, human trafficking, and arms smuggling.Tags: [activism, dictatorship opposition, regional impact]
"I oppose Myanmar's dictatorship, and now opposing the CI center protects both Thai and Myanmar people, safeguarding Thais from Min Aung Hlaing's exploitation. My activities aim for a democratic Myanmar recognized worldwide, benefiting Thailand as well. Myanmar is rich in resources, and many Myanmar workers contribute to Thailand's economy, especially in jobs Thais avoid. Our cultures are close, like siblings; there should be no division," Weera stated.Tags: [democracy, economic ties, cultural closeness, protection]
Weera said he was previously unaware of politics and had no intention to engage. He was a jewelry sales representative, working closely with Thailand's gem trade. However, after Min Aung Hlaing's coup and initial protests at the UN in Thailand, he became aware of the situation.Tags: [personal background, political awakening, coup]
"It's not that we were angry about the coup itself. Myanmar was progressing after Aung San Suu Kyi governed for five years. But when the military seized power, we feared Myanmar would regress to a primitive era. I experienced such times as a child, born in Thailand but raised in Myanmar for about 5-6 years before returning to Thailand over 30 years ago," he explained.Tags: [personal history, political regression, childhood]
When asked about online accusations of receiving foreign funds for his activism, Weera replied, "I still ask people for food money. Even when organizing protests for over six years, I only receive small support from friends. I do not get foreign funding. If I did, I could organize larger protests without having to take buses." Tags: [funding denial, activism support]
"I want those who don't understand to know I've worked for both countries from the start and will continue. I was born in Thailand and love it. Everything I do benefits Thailand more," Weera concluded.Tags: [motivation, dual commitment, patriotism]
