Veera Sangthong, a Myanmar labor leader and former jewelry salesman, opened up about his stance before being assaulted outside the UN, affirming that his actions aim for equality in Myanmar and Thailand's benefit.
On 1 Nov 2023, Veera Sangthong, leader of the Bright Future Myanmar labor group, gathered to protest outside the United Nations office on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, urging Thailand to cancel the Myanmar Labor Nationality Verification Center (Certificate of Identity Center - CI) run by the Myanmar government in Thailand. The center issues CI documents enabling workers to obtain visas and work permits in Thailand, requiring proof of a 2% tax payment and at least 25% of earnings to be sent back to Myanmar through government-approved channels. There were also allegations of fees higher than stated and additional costs such as intermediary fees.
This protest arose from perceived unfairness due to the high costs of obtaining a CI, imposing a financial burden unjustly on Myanmar workers. The protesters demanded that the Pink Card (identity card for stateless persons) be the sole proof of identity.
During the protest, loudspeaker vehicles from the People's Protection Center for the Monarchy (PPCP) and the People's Loyalty to Protect the Monarchy (PLPM) groups arrived, leading to clashes with Veera before police intervened to control the situation.
The incident sparked online debate, with some condemning the assault while others disagreed with Veera's activism. On 3 Nov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anon Sakvorawit of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) posted on Facebook criticizing Veera's movement, accusing him of harshly attacking the Myanmar government in a manner scripted by Western powers. He suggested Veera should protest in Myanmar and respect Thai laws while working in Thailand, recommending the Ministry of Interior consider deporting him permanently.
Thairath Online interviewed Veera Sangthong, who recounted that only four people gathered peacefully with no social media invitations, and they had legally obtained permission for the protest.
About 20 minutes into the protest, vehicles with loudspeakers from PPCP and PLPM arrived, shouting and demanding they leave. Veera's group put away their signs and moved locations, but the opposing groups followed and assaulted Veera alone. Police then intervened, calmed the situation, and arranged a taxi for Veera to leave.
The next day, Veera and his group filed a complaint with the police and submitted a letter to the National Human Rights Commission, as this was not the first assault; a previous incident over a year ago remained unresolved. They hope authorities will fully enforce the law.
Asked if he anticipated such an event, Veera said he had, noting that a week earlier he had canceled a planned protest after the 'Tae Achiva' group of Thai No-Tolerance announced intentions to disrupt it. They then protested again on 3 Nov without public announcement to avoid trouble, but the assault still occurred.
The main issue of the protest was opposing the CI center, arguing it harms not only Myanmar workers but also Thai and foreign business owners due to unfair costs. Most Thai employers already pay various document fees for Myanmar workers, so the additional charges impose extra burdens.
Moreover, most Myanmar workers prefer paying taxes solely to the Thai government through the Pink Card and work permit system, totaling about 5,000 baht. Legal agencies add approximately 3,000 baht in processing fees, totaling around 8,000 baht.
Using the CI center system can raise costs to nearly 20,000 baht due to multiple intermediaries, some possibly illegal. The mandatory 25% money transfer back home, about 6,000 baht every three months through government-approved channels, uses lower exchange rates, and funds sometimes do not reach recipients fully due to embezzlement.
"Myanmar workers willingly pay the Thai government, often more than required, viewing Thai fees as cheap compared to Min Aung Hlaing's regime. They consider it fair since they work in Thailand, thus demanding CI be abolished and to deal only with the Thai government," Veera explained.
Veera emphasized his clear message calling for CI center cancellation and exclusive use of the Pink Card system, but groups hostile to workers might misunderstand his intent as opposing Thai law. He reaffirmed his actions protect both workers’ and Thai interests.
Regarding criticism over Myanmar workers' activism in Thailand, Veera asserted they had legal permission from local police, affirming their right to protest and freedom of expression as fundamental human rights for everyone.
In response to criticism about forming Myanmar labor unions in Thailand, Veera said that establishing non-discriminatory unions per ILO Conventions 87 and 98 is a long-standing demand by Thai labor sectors. He and his group have participated in such efforts, viewing labor rights as universal.
However, Veera wishes to dissociate himself from union formation debates, focusing his current activism on opposing Min Aung Hlaing and defending Myanmar workers' freedoms in Thailand.
When personal background controversies arose, Veera insisted there was nothing wrong but acknowledged detractors continually tried to find fault. He had been previously summoned by the Ministry of Interior and had responded without issue.
Veera revealed his current status as holder of a stateless person identification card (number 089) from an ethnic group, which allows him to apply for citizenship but he has not done so. He is unconcerned about complaints preventing his citizenship application, as he already enjoys basic rights.
Veera assured Thai people that his activism protects oppressed Myanmar workers and opposes Min Aung Hlaing and dictatorship. He stressed that opposing dictatorship benefits not only Myanmar but also Thailand, since Myanmar's military governments have indirectly harmed Thailand for nearly 60 years via drugs, scammers, human trafficking, and arms trading.
"I oppose Myanmar's dictatorship and by opposing the CI center I protect both Thai and Myanmar people's interests, shielding Thais from Min Aung Hlaing's exploitation. My activism aims for a democratic Myanmar accepted worldwide, which will also benefit Thailand since Myanmar is resource-rich and many Myanmar workers drive the Thai economy, especially in labor sectors less favored by Thais. Our cultures are close; we are like siblings and should not be divided," Veera said.
Veera said he previously knew nothing about politics and never intended to engage in activism. He worked as a jewelry salesman in Thailand, immersed in the gem trade throughout his career. But when Min Aung Hlaing staged a coup, initial protests at the UN in Thailand made him aware of the situation.
"I was not angry about the coup itself; Myanmar was developing after Aung San Suu Kyi's five-year rule. But when the military seized power again, we felt Myanmar was regressing to a primitive era. I experienced such times as a child in Myanmar, having been born in Thailand, lived in Myanmar for 5–6 years, then returned to Thailand for over 30 years," Veera explained.
When asked about online accusations that he received foreign funds for his activism, Veera denied this, saying, "I still ask friends for meal money. Even organizing protests, I rely on small support from friends over six years. I have never received foreign funding. If I had, I could organize bigger protests, not just using buses to march."
"I want to tell those who don't understand that I have worked for both countries from the start and will continue. I was born in Thailand and love it. Everything I do benefits Thailand more," Veera concluded.