Navy to set up 'floating rescue base' in Andaman: PM

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday the task force would be made up of medical staff, police and related officials.
“I have already assigned the Navy to take to the border line of the sea to act like a floating naval base,” Prayut said.
In the event of Rohingya being found in vessels, they would be taken to the ship, where medical staff would take care of them. If they were sick, they would be treated. After that they would be sent to shelters provided for them in Indonesia and Malaysia, he said.
The PM stressed that Thailand would stick to its stance and send Rohingya or other migrants to destinations where they want to go.
The Air Force will also fly patrols – and coordinate patrols by planes from other countries – |over the sea to look for vessels |carrying “boat people”.
“We agreed to a request by the US to help by having its planes patrol in the areas. Any country could do the same as the US but they have to be under our supervision because it is our area. They will not independently patrol – they have to work with our task force,” the prime minister said.
He also hit out at a CNN news report that claimed threats of |violence and guns were used to force a vessel with Rohingya out of Thai waters.
“How can we do that? Thailand has been helping them for a long time according to humanitarian principles. We are Buddhists, we consider every life matters.
“In treating the migrants, we did not divide the whole family, [to just] the sick ones. We took photos of every step for use as evidence. The media should not make a groundless allegation, as it will tarnish the country’s reputation,” he said.