On July 11, I got a chance to visit Tum Hin Displaced People Camp in Ratchaburi, Thailand. The camp located around three hours away from Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. When I arrived at the camp, I was greeted by the UNHCR and TBC staffs who are there to sort out all the problems that had been going on in the camp. They told me that there were around 4,270 people in the camp at the moment. Most of the people left Myanmar since 1997 when there was a battle between the Myanmar military and the minority groups. Most of the people in the camp are Karen because their home are close to the Thai's East border. I was not allow to talk to any of the displaced people, but I had a chance to talk to one of the Thai soldier who has been working in the camp for most of his life time. He learnt how to speak Karen because it is one of the best way to develop trust with the people in the camp. He got really close to some of the family, and it helps him to understand their needs and problems while living in the camp. He told me that Tum Hin camp is very peaceful compares to the other eight camps, since there are only one minority group in the camp. Most of the people in the camp have the same perspective on the on-going issues in their country. I asked him why doesn't he leave the camp and go work with the Thai army somewhere else because living in a camp is not that convenient. His reply just got me very shook, he said " I don't want to leave people who seem to be part of my family after what we had been through together." He believed that displaced people are not people who we should look down to, but rather look up to them with respect. Before I leave, I asked him if I could share some of his quote on my blog, and he told me that he is more than happy for me to spread the word out. He wanted the world that helping other world citizens does not depend on your money or social ran, but it is about your heart. *Some of the words and quote are translated from Thai, so they might not provide the exact meaning In this picture, I am talking to the Thai soldier in front of a ruined house. (no one lives in the house)
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January 2018
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