PHUKET: More ''boatpeople'' from Burma are expected in Phuket next week - but these will be the uniformed crews of two warships making a historic visit to Thailand for the first time.
The visit marks 65 years of diplomatic relations between Burma, also known as Myanmar, and Thailand.
Thailand's Third Naval Area Command, which patrols the Andaman Sea and searches for illegal migrants arriving by sea, has bases on Phuket and in the neighboring province of Phang Nga.
Warships from the US now visit Phuket frequently for liberty leave between operations in the Middle East.
It's not known at this stage whether the Burmese crews from UMS 561 and UMS 562, which will be at Phuket for three days from February 20-23, will be granted shore leave.
The vessels will anchor off the Phuket east coast, at the deep sea port, a Thai Navy spokesman said today. Ceremonies are expected to mark the occasion.
Burma has been moving in recent years towards greater openness and democracy.
However, treatment of the Rohingya Muslim minority, who are among the most persecuted people in the world, according to the UN, remains an issue.
Many Rohingya have been forced by ethnic cleansing to flee Burma and this year they have put to sea in flimsy vessels in record numbers.
About 1700 Rohingya men women and children, deprived of citizenship in Burma, are now being held at centres around Thailand while the Thai government determines whether they should be returned to Burma.
International condemnation of human rights breaches in Burma continues as many governments - including Thailand, the US and China - welcome Burma's new-found friendliness, undeveloped economy and trade opportunities.
A regular Cobra Gold joint military exercise, involving troops from several countries including the US, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand, is now being held in Chiang Mai.
It began last Monday and lasts until next Thursday. Burmese military representatives are acting as observers.
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