The Thai government’s proposal to repatriate Burmese refugees along the Thai-Burma border to their homeland after the general elections in Burma has created severe anxiety, said analysts and refugee sources.

The Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya told reporters in New York this weekend that refugees in camps along the Thai-Burma border have to return to Burma. The remarks were made at a forum at the Asia Society in New York on Thursday, when Kasit discussed the political situation in Thailand, regional issues and US-China relations.

Myominlatt, a Burma analyst said that though the Thai government proposes to send back refugees, it will be difficult to do so without stability in ethnic areas.

“It is impossible to send back the refugees to Burma because the consequence will be bad. We are worried for the refugees because there is no security and stability in regions where they will have to go back,” he said.

“The new (Burmese) government would face political problems and need time to deal with border security,” he added.

Karen sources said that the new Burmese government will need 4 to 5 years to usher in peace in several regions for refugees to go back to their homeland.

“We don’t have any reason to believe that the Thai government will force refugees to return to Burma. Repatriating or deporting refugees to their country of origin would be attempted. However, without resolving all the problems in Burma and a change of government to a full democracy, it will be far too early to send people back. The refugees will face persecution if they are sent back,” a Karenni refugee living in Mae Hong Son said.

About 14,000 people from nine camps are believed to be in Thailand in Ban Don Yang, Tham Hin, Nu Po, Umpeim Mai, Mae La, Mae Ra Ma Laung, Mae La Oon and the two camps of Karenni people. Many of them are migrant workers with little or no legal status, who fled economic ruin and political instability in Burma.