Midnight Crossings
During a recent podcast discussion, Kenneth Wong shared the various levels of fear and danger that Burmese refugees face when trying to cross the border into Thailand. The risky journey across the narrow Moi River, which many refugees attempt early in the morning or late at night to avoid being caught. If caught, refugees are often sent back to Burma by Thai authorities, though some may reach NGOs or refugee camps for help. He realized the increased risk for those involved in the resistance movement, who might be handed over to the Burmese junta due to cooperation between Thai and Burmese authorities. “There’s an underlying fear in their daily lives,” he says. “While it might be an exaggeration to say they live in constant fear, for those without money to pay for protection or bribe local authorities, this fear is very real.”
“When I arrived in Mae Sot, Thailand, I was immediately confronted with the stark realities faced by Burmese refugees navigating their new lives amidst uncertainty and systemic challenges. For those who arrive without documents, the immediate concern is survival: finding shelter, food, and avoiding detection by Thai authorities. Some fortunate refugees receive their passports through friends or contacts who can legally cross into Thailand, offering a crucial lifeline for increased mobility. Others must navigate the arduous process of obtaining a ‘pink card,’ ostensibly granting work rights but often obtained through bribery and limiting their options to low-wage labor… The pink card should help refugees work in Thailand, but getting one usually requires bribes or employer help. Even with the card, refugees might not end up in the jobs they’re supposed to have….. While it offers some protection and freedom, it also shows the tough choices refugees must make to stay safe in Thailand.”
He thought that many Burmese refugees and activists view Thailand as a temporary place rather than a permanent home. They hope that Burma will return to democracy within two to three years, allowing them to return to their homes and reunite with their families. Alternatively, they also hope that a refugee transition agency might help them move to a more desirable country like the US, Canada, Japan, or Korea. Because of this perspective, there is less motivation for them to fully integrate into Thai culture or learn the Thai language.
Kenneth also commented on how different languages show unique ways of being polite and saying hello. For example, Chinese has special phrases for morning and evening, but Thai and Burmese focus more on just saying "hello" without much formality. In Thailand, people often use the Anjali Mudra gesture to show respect, which we rarely see in Burma. In Korea, especially on Jeju Island, they use less strict language rules because there aren’t as many people. And in Laos, adding politeness markers from Thai can sound strange because their customs are different. These differences in how languages express politeness and respect show how culture shapes the way people talk to each other.