In appears that the government in Thailand is under the impression that it's acceptable to make a zoo exhibit out of people.
20 Kayan women are basically being held against their will as tourist attractions. Go read the BBC article if you like.
After being separated from the rest of the Burmese refugee population by the Thai authorities when they fled their home country, the Thai government is now claiming they are not refugees as they don't live in a refugee camp. The government claims they are economic migrants who chose to live outside the refugee camp. I believe you. Really I do.
The reason this particular has been singled out ? They wear neck rings and as a result appear to have elongated necks.
Originally there was no objection to being a tourist attraction; it's not like they had that many other choices. Going back to Burma ? Bad plan. Bad, bad plan. At least as part of the tourist industry they were earning some cash. I doubt it's too many peoples dream in life though. For the last two years there has been a better life on offer to these women. For one, Zember, and her family there is a house in New Zealand, permanent resettlement, a home and the chance at a life. The Thai authorities will not do the paperwork to allow them to leave. As a protest act Zember has removed her neck rings which I imagine must be more than uncomfortable, and on more than just a physical level.
So if you are going to Thailand, please do not go and see the Kayan women. They don't want to be there.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Human Zoo
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2 comments:
That has to be the most hideous thing I have EVER heard....how low have we sunk when we're using other human beings as zoo attractions???!!!!!
Great find hun, and yeah, even if I was visiting this country, I wouldn't go to see this unless I was also taking a big fucking crowbar to break these women out!
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Hey dearie, it's fucking awful isn't it ? Not sure how they can actually get away with holding them against their will. The economic migrant thing doesn't make sense either. If they are migrants, and not refugees, then they must have entered the country on a passport. Obviously not.
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