Migrants to be zoned together to reduce crime
RANONG is being used as the project model for the zoning of migrant communities together in a bid to reduce crime and social problems as well as lead to a host of other benefits for Thailand and migrants.
Under the “Ranong Model” scheme which still was pending the government’s nod and budget, the province eyed on setting zones for Myanmar worker shelters so it will also be easier to control and prepare the migrant database, said Ranong Governor Suriyan Kanjanasilp.
He said the migrant crime rate was low and the migrants were friendly to locals although four Myanmar workers who allegedly stabbed a schoolgirl to death recently had tarnished the migrants’ image.
He said it was hoped the zoning would also sustainably solve problems such as illegal employment, disease control issues, drug abuse and garbage disposal.
Suriyan said there were about 70,000 Myanmar migrants working and living in the province.
A survey found that the three tambons with largest number of migrants were Khao Niwet, Bang Rin and Pak Nam. Some 26,700 migrants live in other areas like Tambon Ngao and Tambon Bang Non.
The new zones would comprise two communities – 334 rai (53 hectares) for the Phae Mai community in Tambon Bang Rin and 588 rai for the Pak Khlong community in Tambon Pak Nam. Both areas are in Muang district.
The Interior Ministry is using Ranong as a project model for the 22 provinces with a high number of migrant workers.
Suriyan said the zoning scheme would benefit national security, reduce the number of illegal labourers, improve migrant workers’ quality of life and group workers together for better control.
The governor said scheme would also bolster the Thai-Myanmar relationship as more collaborations would stem from it while creating new cultural tourist attractions for the migrant community in Thailand.
