The following are stories from Burmese tsunami victims in the Khao Lak district of Thailand compiled by Htoo Chit of the UUSC program partner, Grassroots Human Rights Education and Development Committee. Htoo Chit is coordinating the Tsunami Action Group in southern Thailand.

Ko Myint Oo, 26, from Karen State, Burma

"At 10 a.m., on Dec. 30, about 10 policemen came and searched everything at our construction site. They told us to get out from the room and they searched us. They confiscated three Baht of gold (approximately three ounces) and 3,000 Baht ($77) cash from me. When I complained, a policeman told me he would cut my throat if I did not shut up. Those are my belongings, I saved the gold and money for three years but I have no right to complain. Some of my friends also had their belongings confiscated by authorities. They accused us of being looters of Thai tsunami victims. We cannot even travel around the immediate area for fear of arrest by the authorities. How could we have been involved in the looting cases?"

Maung Nyi Nyi, 24, from Tavoy, Burma

"On Jan. 5, at 4 p.m., I returned from Tahoka Hospital after visiting to my sister-in-law, a tsunami victim. I was searched by three police officers on the way to my construction site. I was asked to show my work permit (ID card). I showed my ID card and they found a Baht of gold in my pocket and confiscated it. I had planned to buy goods to sell."

Stories from survivors on Ko Kho Khao Island
Ko Kho Khao Island is being developed for tourism. Some migrants live in Ban Nam Khem and work on the island. Some work as fishing-boat crew members or restaurant workers, but the largest number are low-paid construction workers, providing manual labor to build new luxury beachfront hotels. The village has over 100 fishing boats with 30-40 Burmese workers assigned to each boat. At least 90 boats were damaged by the tsunami. One construction site on the island was flooded by the tsunami. There were 1,000 Burmese workers at this site.

Maung Tun Win Zaw, 24, from Tavoy, Burma

"I was working to build new luxury beachfront hotels on Ko Kho Khao when the tsunami hit. There were around 1,000 Burmese migrant workers at the construction site and all of them are missing or were killed by the tsunami. Fortunately, six others and I escaped by climbing big pine trees. We were in the trees from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. I saw many dead bodies in the water and our construction site was completely covered with water. At about 8:30 p.m., we waved our clothes and a Thai military helicopter, searching for tsunami victims in the area, rescued us and took us to Takuapa hospital. I was surprised and very angry that the Burmese media were saying only around 50 Burmese were killed on the island. I strongly believe that 600 to 900 Burmese migrant workers were killed at our construction site alone, including 15 of my friends. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Thai military that rescued us.”

Maung Yan Aung, 13, from Rangoon, Burma

"I found my mother's dead body near our construction site but the Thai rescue team did not allow us to take the body for a proper Buddhist ceremony. My brother and I are living with my father in the temporary rescue camp." 

Ko Myo Win, 33, from Thanintarim Division, Burma

"I lost my wife (Ma Thida, 29) and my daughter (Ma Shwe Zin Moe, 3). Even though I found their bodies, Thai authorities will not allow me to take them for a Buddhist ceremony."

Maung Soe Thu, 19, from Tavoy, Burma

I lost my wife (Ma Chit Aye, 19). She was working at the construction site when the tidal wave hit our area. I was looking for her for two or three days after the tsunami. I gave up because I feared the Thai authorities would arrest me. I believe that she has been killed by the tsunami.

Ko Aung Myint, 33, from Tavoy, Burma

"I was working together with my wife at the construction site when the waves hit to the site. I took my wife and ran to a truck but a wave hit the truck so we went to a building. I became separated from my wife. I have not seen her since Dec. 26. Now I am living with my three children."

For a firsthand overview by Htoo Chit of the difficulties faced by Burmese migrants in Thailand, visit Burmese tsunami victims neglected, abused in Thailand. 

Posted Feb. 24, 2005